Dr Amrinder Singh Romana
Head of School, MetStudios London
Dr Amrinder Singh Romana is a creative technologist, educator, and industry professional with over twenty years of experience in digital storytelling, animation, and immersive media. He has dedicated his career to advancing the use of technology in storytelling and equipping students and professionals with the skills to thrive in the evolving screen industries.
With extensive experience in higher education, Amrinder has led research and curriculum development in motion capture, 3D animation, virtual production, and immersive media (VR, AR, and Mixed Reality). As a Senior Lecturer and Research Cluster Lead in Digital Storytelling and Innovation, he has played a key role in shaping creative technology programmes and mentoring emerging talent in the field. His expertise bridges technical innovation with artistic expression, ensuring a strong understanding of how new and emerging technologies support creative practice.
Amrinder holds a PhD in Computer Animation. His research focuses on developing a parametric model for posing photorealistic 3D character facial expressions. His work explores how mathematical models and procedural animation techniques can improve the realism and expressiveness of digital characters, particularly for film, games, and extended reality applications. His research contributes to the ongoing development of emotion-driven animation, enhancing how digital characters convey human-like expressions.
His published work includes the INSAM Journal of Contemporary Music, Art, and Technology, where he explored sound drawing and dhol notation as a methodological approach to visualising drum sounds. He has also presented at the Society for Animation Studies Annual Conference, discussing posing photorealistic facial expressions for animation. He has also contributed to exhibitions such as (Inter)Disciplinary Bodies, showcasing 3D-printed heads depicting posed facial expressions and movement.
His upcoming books, Facial Animation in 3D, Games, and Extended Realities and Character Animation in 3D, Games, and Extended Realities (Routledge, 2026), build on this research and offer insights into facial dynamics, motion capture, and animation techniques for a new generation of artists and technologists.
Beyond academia, Amrinder has led funded projects, securing substantial investment for initiatives at the crossroads of technology, heritage, and innovation.
- Levelling Up History: Uses animation, gamification, and XR to enhance the interpretation of museum artefacts through interactive storytelling.
- The Bradford Dhol Project: Develops a digital notation system for the traditional dhol drum, combining sound visualisation, animation, and cultural preservation.
- Curators App: A VR application enhancing museum experiences through 3D scanning, digital asset creation, and interactive storytelling.
- Facial Dynamics and Rehabilitation: Applies facial motion capture and procedural animation to support research in digital healthcare and rehabilitation.
As Head of School at MetStudios London, Amrinder is committed to developing an industry-focused, future-ready curriculum that prepares students for careers in filmmaking, animation, and interactive media. His approach ensures that students gain creative and technical expertise, equipping them to meet the challenges and opportunities of an evolving industry. By fostering collaboration between students, faculty, and industry professionals, he aims to bridge education and innovation, ensuring that graduates leave with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to shape the future of storytelling
