Anastasiia's Portfolio

Anastasiia M
Art toys designer

Paris, France

About me

My name is Anastasiia M., and I am the creator of Mercurian—not just a toy brand, but a universe inside my head. This world is part of me, which is why its name reflects my own surname.

I have been inventing fantastical creatures for as long as I can remember.

With 10 years of art school, 4 years of architectural studies, and over 7 years of building the Mercurian universe, I have brought to life not only hundreds of imagined beings but also their tangible forms.

My style

I found my style at the crossroads of mythology and familiar animalistic and botanical motifs.

That’s how the Flower and Spring Dragons were born—with faces closer to mammals than reptiles, decorated with playful petals on their brows and ears.

It’s how Batcat emerged—a fusion of the alien, hairless elegance of a sphynx cat with the leathery strangeness of a bat, made fluffier and friendlier.

And it’s how the Bumblebear came to life—a whimsical blend of two honey-lovers, the bear and the bee.

My focus

Throughout history, artists have often focused on the anatomy of mythical beings, but that stripped them of personality. I see Mercurians as companions, not just creatures. They have recognizable faces and moods. This approach made them beloved by millions of fans around the world.

And what if fantasy creatures didn’t just look majestic, but also grumpy, surprised, or even scared?

That’s how one of my most popular creations, the Grumpycorn, appeared—a chubby, adorably sulky unicorn with short legs and a tiny horn.

My experiments

I also love playing with unsettling ideas and turning them into endearing ones: for example, my Mercurian spider, inspired by a photo of dew-covered jumping spider, helped some followers overcome their arachnophobia.

I am especially drawn to concept-creatures. One of my favorites is the Schrödinger’s Cat, a playful nod to the famous thought experiment in quantum mechanics, embodying the paradox of being both alive and dead.

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