Meet Ruimeng Gu of Baltimore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruimeng Gu.

Hi Ruimeng, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am a 3D artist, game designer, and photographer specializing in creating game prototypes using mixed media. My materials include wood, metal, glass, 3D-printed objects, and even natural elements like plants. Most of my game projects are experimental, using physical puzzles to give players immersive experience. I place great emphasis on the harmony between game style, aesthetic, and mechanical design, consistently pursuing a deep integration of narrative and immersion.

I’ve loved painting and crafting ever since I was a little kid. I started treat art more seriously about eight years ago. I went to art school where I majored in film set design. During that time, I had access to great resources and equipment, which really helped me focus on developing my technical skills. After graduating, I went on to do a master’s degree in game design, where I deepened my understanding of logic, structure, and game machenics.

A lot of my creative inspiration comes from horror and mystery—things like detective stories, H.P. Lovecraft’s novels, horror games, and different types of folklore. These influences naturally find their way into my work. I often create a sense of tension or unease within peaceful-looking settings. I love old -fashioned machinery, and I use folding camera to take photography. For me, making art is really about expressing emotion and experience. I like to build immersive environment for stories, giving viewers a chance to step right into the mood.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For me, the creative process needs to involve a sense of growth.

I tend to think of my work as having two parts: the artistic side and the technical side. In any project, if I can find the right balance between the two, the result is at least never mediocre. My past experience in the film and game industries often made me overly focused on technical demands. Sometimes I had to sacrifice visual impact to meet technical requirements; or I had to completely set aside artistic expression to complete a task. That’s entirely reasonable within the industry context.

But on a personal level—when it comes to my own artistic pursuit—things shift. When I take my creative work out of those complex production pipelines and look at it on its own, the question becomes: how do you make a spring, taken from an assembly line, feel beautiful and moving? That’s why I’m drawn to experimental projects—it give more space to technology and art so they can coexist better.

There are also times when my personal preferences don’t align with mainstream aesthetics. For instance, when I develop and scan film, I prefer to keep more of the texture in the image. It often takes conscious effort to stick to my vision.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When starting a project, I usually have a rough idea of the final effect I want to achieve. At this stage, I don’t worry too much about how to get there—as long as the idea seems reasonably doable, it’s worth trying. There are usually a few failures during the process, and with each one, the plan gets closer to the reality of the situation. Before the final piece is completed, I often create one or two prototypes to help determine the right size and design.

About half of the project time is spent researching techniques or developing the concept. I believe the early preparation phase is crucial to the creative process. If I start making major decisions halfway through, many other aspects might need to be adjusted to match.

I am proud of my strong curiosity and imagination. I enjoy studying different skills. I would learn programming to complete my puzzle design and also learn metal etching for the retro visual effect. When creating art projects that truly belong to me, I can recall them and find ways to combine completely different things, breaking away from popular and conventional conclusions. I’m constantly making new attempts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ruimeng-gu.webflow.io/
• Other: https://ruimengphotography.cargo.site/