Amrit Pal Singh and the Art of Toy Worlds: How 3D Faces Became a Global Visual Language

Amrit Pal Singh is an independent visual artist, 3D illustrator, toy maker, designer and creator based in New Delhi. Known online as @amritpaldesign, he has carved a distinctive space for himself through whimsical, toy-like 3D illustrations that celebrate childlike wonder, nostalgia and imagination. Over the last decade, his work has quietly grown into a global visual language, recognisable for its playful forms, soft colours and emotionally warm characters that feel familiar yet entirely original.

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Early Years And Creative Foundation

Amrit’s journey into visual storytelling began early, shaped by a deep interest in animation, illustration and character-driven narratives. This passion led him to study at Vancouver Film School, where he graduated in 2012.

The formal training helped him build strong technical foundations, but it was his instinct for storytelling and world-building that eventually defined his artistic identity.

After returning to India, he chose to remain independent, gradually building a practice that balanced client work with personal exploration.

A Signature Style Rooted In Play

What sets Amrit apart is his commitment to a style that feels deliberately unhurried and deeply human. His work does not chase trends. Instead, it leans into softness, curiosity and emotional memory.

He is best known for:

• Toy Faces: A long-running series of 3D portraits that reimagine people as collectible toy-like characters
• Toy Rooms and Toy Birds: Worlds and environments that feel intimate, safe and gently surreal
• Adventures of the Toy Maker: A semi-autobiographical series that reflects his own journey through imagination and making

These works often blur the line between digital art and physical objects, making viewers feel like they could reach into the screen and pick them up.

From Custom Portraits To NFTs

During the pandemic in 2020, Amrit began creating custom Toy Faces for individuals looking for playful digital avatars. What started as a casual service quickly scaled, with nearly 2,000 custom Toy Faces created within a year.

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This phase proved pivotal. It showed that his style resonated far beyond galleries and design circles.

In February 2021, he minted his first NFT, Frida Toy Face, which sold for 3.9 ETH. Since then, Amrit has created over 104 NFT artworks, generating primary sales exceeding one million USD.

His NFT work includes Toy Faces inspired by global cultural icons such as artists, musicians, thinkers and changemakers, all reimagined through his gentle, toy-like lens.

Global Recognition And Exhibitions

Amrit’s digital success translated seamlessly into the physical world.

His Toy Face Tour travelled across galleries in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, featuring life-sized installations, printed works and immersive Toy Room environments. The exhibitions allowed audiences to step directly into his imaginative universe.

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More recently, his work has been showcased internationally, including an immersive exhibition at Artechouse, New York City, marking a significant milestone in his global journey.

Working With The World’s Biggest Brands

Alongside his personal practice, Amrit has collaborated with some of the world’s most influential brands, bringing his signature style into commercial and cultural projects.

His client list includes:

Google, Apple, Netflix, Snapchat, Adobe, Microsoft, Budweiser, Absolut, Coinbase, Pinterest, Maxon, Sui Network, BenQ, Ola, FedEx, BBDO, Asian Paints, DS Group, Vercel, Contra and others.

His work spans mobile apps, picture books, card games, mascots, digital toys and interactive experiences, often optimised for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

Beyond Screens: Toys, Pins And Physical Objects

In recent years, Amrit has leaned into physical making with renewed intent.

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He designs and 3D-prints collectible objects, including:

• Toy Pins Blind Box: Mystery enamel pins based on Toy Faces
• Toy of Liberty: A playful reinterpretation created for his New York exhibition
• Experimental stereoscopes and interactive objects like the Toy Scope

He actively works with 3D printers and fabrication tools, focusing on learning and craftsmanship rather than speed.

Process, Pace And Philosophy

Amrit’s approach is notably resistant to hustle culture. He prefers slow, research-driven creation, allowing ideas to mature before execution.

He believes that making art and marketing it are equally important. While naturally introverted, he has consistently shown up for his work, sharing process, experiments and finished pieces across Instagram, Twitter, Behance and his personal website.

For him, sustainability in art comes from balance: earning enough to keep creating, without rushing the work itself.

Amrit Pal Singh continues to expand his toy universe across formats, from NFTs and installations to physical collectibles and interactive worlds.

With 63K+ followers on Instagram, a growing international exhibition footprint and a body of work that feels both contemporary and timeless, he stands as one of India’s most distinctive visual artists working today.

At its core, his practice remains simple: building small worlds that remind adults what it once felt like to imagine freely.