Hand-sculpted demon creature concept art in clay for horror game development and character design portfolio

Original Toy and Miniature Design

Custom-designed toys and collectible figures — from first sketch to final sculpt

The process of making a great toy starts long before the first 3D sculpt — it starts with a story. Whether you’re a game studio looking to merchandise your IP, a collector creating your own line of figures, or a brand bringing characters to life, my job is to design toys that feel alive.

I work with creative teams to design toys and collectible figures that look amazing on a shelf but are grounded in smart, manufacturable design. This service is for anyone who wants original character toys developed from the ground up — or for existing IP that needs to be lovingly translated into 3D.

We’ll go from sketches to stylized sculpts, explore materials and articulation points, and collaborate at every step to make sure your toy isn't just cool-looking — but production-ready.

Think of it like alchemy. With the right reference, research, and a lot of play, we’re building something that bridges concept art, narrative, and physical reality. That’s the magic.

ZBrush digital sculpt of monster character in hoodie – stylized concept art for dark fantasy or urban horror genres

What’s Included

  • Custom toy concept and character design

  • Reference boards and mood mapping

  • Detailed 3D sculpt (ZBrush or Blender)

  • Marvelous Designer clothing where needed

  • Design notes, materials, articulation planning

  • Optional: Packaging concept art, turntables, and render setups

  • Feedback rounds at each milestone

  • Clean source files and exports (STL, OBJ, etc.)

What’s Not Included

Physical prototyping or printing (but I can help guide you!)

Manufacturing or supply chain services

Legal/licensing work

Discovery, Reference, and R&D — fully integrated from day one.

I’ll break your project into clear phases with shared calendars, scheduled reviews, and check-in calls.

Tailored to You:
Concept Art, 3D Sculpting, Toy Design, Visual Strategy, Marketing Support — let’s build your dream character.

Toys and Miniature Concept Art Services

To book, we require a 33% deposit, a 33% by mid-milestones, and a 33% billed at the end of the project. Reach and and contact for a custom setup/day rate if you have on-going needs.

High-detail character turnaround sheets, robotic hand anatomy studies, and post-apocalyptic outfit concept designs

Concept Sketches – Stylized ideas for toys or sculpts.

Post-apocalyptic female character design concept sheet with detailed wardrobe, accessories, and posing references

Orthographic Views – Ready for 3D sculpting.

Fantasy and sci-fi character outfit variations – costume design breakdowns for realistic and immersive game worlds

Packaging Suggestions – Visual direction for presentation.

66%

faster pre-production time while working with Ashfall / NetEase Games. Slashed production costs by introducing 3D and updated concept art methodologies. Delivered AAA+ industry-standard professional turnaround times.

33%

art quality improvement while working with Frictional Games. Maintained and expanded style guides and material libraries within a 3D render engine for concepting.

90%

approval rate at first submission while working with Electronic Arts DICE / Milford SE. Created assets that were included in the game or DLC with high client satisfaction.

Special pricing for long-term bookings over 60 days. Contact me for a custom arrangement tailored to your project needs.

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  • It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!

    João Lira, Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Toys and Miniatures Portfolio

Fantasy character outfit variations – costume design breakdowns for realistic and immersive game worlds
sci-fi character outfit variations – costume design breakdowns for realistic and immersive game worlds
Cyberpunk-inspired robotic arm and mechanical hand designs for sci-fi concept art and VFX development
full creature design for production
prop sci-fi concept design in 3d
robot arm sculpted in 3d
Full-body female sci-fi character concept – ‘The Fence’ post-apocalyptic scavenger with stylized design and color palette
Mind map visualizing creative process and moodboarding strategies for concept artists and visual storytellers

How it starts

Every project begins with a deep dive into your world — your references, inspirations, goals, audience, manufacturing constraints, everything. I build moodboards, mindmaps, and reference sheets so we’re not just designing a toy — we’re designing something intentional.

This is the research phase — where we lay the foundation and make sure every creative decision has a purpose.

Studio desk setup with character design moodboard – inspiration collection for fashion, silhouettes, and storytelling

Mood & Form

Style matters — but it has to serve the character. Here we’ll define shape language, silhouettes, colors, and forms. We’ll explore what makes your toy pop, what visual language tells your story, and how it connects to fans or players emotionally.

  • professional and beautifully shot wacom tablet for digital drawing and design

    You’ll get a full design breakdown in a Miro board or equivalent — showing idea development, scale reference, material notes, articulation logic, and stylization passes. Plus, I’ll provide sculpting-ready paintovers and format them for 3D printing or factory production specs. Need a team? I can also refer trusted modelers or manufacturers from my network.

  • concept art workstation background, with professional software rendering

    I take on one project at a time, which means your toy or miniature line gets the full force of my focus. Whether you’re an indie creator launching a collectible, or an established brand building out a full line — this isn’t some half-hearted sketch dump. It’s your IP brought to life with serious intent.

  • professional freelance artist taking notes on a macbook and leading a online meeting.

    From early silhouettes and pose tests to final color callouts and modular parts planning — I design toys and figures that actually work. They look good and make sense in the hand. I keep manufacturing constraints in mind from the jump, without sacrificing creativity. These pieces are meant to be touched, moved, admired, and remembered.

  • resources and physical design books on a professional artist desk

    I bring storytelling into it, too. Great toy design is about more than a cool pose — it's about creating an instant connection. What story does the figure tell at a glance? What personality does it convey? Whether it’s for play, display, or collection, I design with meaning in every detail.

  • a beautiful selection of sketchbooks being reviewed by a professional artist and designer

    I use tools like ZBrush, Blender, Photoshop, and KeyShot to bridge the gap between art and prototyping. My studio is equipped for high-res renders, pose iterations, and scale fidelity, with a workflow designed to take your vision from sketch to shelf.

Marvelous Designer clothing simulation – layered outfit development for 3D character concepting and animation

Detail Meets Design

I use tools like Marvelous Designer to experiment with outfit construction and material behavior. This is where we explore texture, folds, realism vs. stylization — all the subtle design choices that make a toy feel like it belongs in its universe. Whether it’s armor, fabric, or futuristic techwear, we build smart.

ZBrush character sculpting process screenshot – digital sculpting techniques for stylized creature design

From Clay to Character

In ZBrush, your toy begins to take shape — literally. This is the sculpting phase where I block out forms, refine anatomy, and build the kind of visual clarity that toy makers and collectors love. Whether it’s chunky stylized forms or intricate hard-surface gear, this is where digital sculpting meets storytelling

Concept artist giving a tutorial on effective sculpting and storytelling in character design – YouTube video thumbnail

Collaboration Built In

I'm not here to vanish into a cave and come back with “a thing.” We talk, we review, we revise. I’ll guide you through each step of the process — with regular check-ins, feedback rounds, and moments of “holy sh*t that looks amazing.” That’s where the fun happens.

ZBrush sculpting tips and techniques – best practices for high-quality digital modeling in concept art

Final Toy Polish

The last phase is all about clarity and control — tightening sculpts, prepping files, and making sure your toy is presentation-ready or production-ready. If you’re handing this off to a 3D printer, manufacturer, or animator, I’ll make sure it translates cleanly.

  • Can I hire you to design just the toy, or do you also handle packaging and branding?

    Absolutely — you can book me for just the toy sculpt, or I can provide a full visual identity, including packaging mockups, shelf presence renders, and promotional art. It all depends on your needs and the stage you’re in.

  • Do you provide 3D print-ready files or just illustrations?

    I can deliver everything from concept art to 3D print-ready models depending on your manufacturer’s specs. You’ll receive organized files, references, and a clear folder structure to make production smoother for your team.

  • Can this help me pitch to a toy company or raise funding?

    Yes — you’ll receive a polished pitch-ready asset package: toy renders, turnaround sheets, moodboards, and optional packaging comps. This is designed to help you secure meetings, stand out in pitch decks, or demo at toy fairs.

  • What kind of toys do you design?

    From collectible vinyl figures to action toys and stylized plushies, I focus on toy lines that benefit from strong storytelling and bold silhouettes. If the toy has a purpose, emotional hook, or IP connection — that’s where I shine.

  • What if I don’t know how to describe what I want?

    That’s totally fine — I often work with clients who are first-time toy makers. I’ll walk you through moodboarding, visual references, and language that helps turn vague ideas into clear direction. My job is to help you express your vision.

  • Can I hire you to design a full line or just a single character?

    You can do both. We can start with a “hero” figure to define the aesthetic, and then expand into a toy line with variants, enemies, or supporting characters. I also help establish consistency across a toy series visually and narratively.

  • What’s included in the final delivery?

    You’ll get a Miro or Notion board outlining the entire process, layered PSDs or renders, optional STL or OBJ files for 3D printing, and a wrap-up video breakdown. If you need production sourcing or referrals, I can help with that too.

  • Are you available for ongoing collaborations or toy line expansion?

    Yes, I often stay on to help art direct additional waves or new product types — especially useful for growing IPs, licensed brands, or Kickstarters looking to stretch into full collections.

Detailed creature head sculpt with tactical yellow hazmat suit – horror and sci-fi concept art for AAA game development

Let’s turn your idea into a toy people can’t stop looking at.
Start your custom toy design today.