Marcela Bellini is an artist who combines structured thinking with fluid creative inspiration to interpret contemporary impressionism and three-dimensional world building from a product-oriented perspective.
At first, she used artistic creation as a supplement to her product management work. Today, this creative approach has evolved into a unique visual language characterized by bold shapes, richly textured materials, and characters that are both fun and powerful.
Her creations focus on capturing essence rather than complexity, leading viewers into a world centered on emotion and identity.
In this conversation, Bellini shared the origins of the Puffy Universe, the inspirations behind its evolution, and why she views each character as having unique purposes and personalities.
She also delved into the creative process behind the latest series Puffy Icons: Pantheon, which reinterprets icons from various eras and will be launched on December 15 in collaboration with Shape on OpenSea.
OpenSea:
First, can you briefly introduce your artistic background? How did you first come into contact with 3D art and contemporary impressionism?
Marcela Bellini:
My professional background is actually in product management. In my daily work, I always think about product roadmaps, user experience, and architecture. Art became my safe haven from this logic, a space where I could be completely free. However, it is this product manager mindset that helped me transition into the 3D art field.
I view each piece as a micro product that needs to have a clear focus and elicit a specific response. I fell in love with contemporary impressionism because it is concise and efficient, capturing the essence and emotion of things without being obscured by unnecessary complexity. It is the purest form of visual storytelling.
OpenSea:
Your work style is very unique, both lively and bold, with rich details. Over the years, who or what has influenced your style the most?
Marcela Bellini:
I think this largely stems from my exposure to pop culture, vinyl toys, and classic history from a young age. I have always admired artists who don’t take themselves too seriously yet can still create high-quality work, like KAWS and Jeff Koons, but their work also integrates a sense of historical weight.
I want to find that balance point where the work is both cute and lovable, while also inspiring awe. This contrast is where my style lies: making heavy themes appear gentle and gentle themes appear strong.
OpenSea:
Where did the aesthetic concept of Puffy originate? Was there a particular moment that made you realize, 'Oh, this is the world I want to build'?
Marcela Bellini:
To be honest, it initially started as a texture experiment. I was trying different material properties in 3D modeling, wanting the digital objects to feel tactile, as if you could reach through the screen and squeeze them. When I finished the first Puffy Icon, I realized, 'This is it!'
Seeing this contrast – a formidable warrior looking like a high-end inflatable art piece – I realized this is exactly what I wanted. I realized I could retell human history and pop culture through this gentle, playful perspective, thus the 'Puffy Universe' was born.
OpenSea:
For those who have just heard about this game, how would you describe (Puffy Icons: Pantheon)? What inspired you to merge warriors with sports champions?
Marcela Bellini:
The Pantheon series is essentially a tribute to great achievements, but reinterpreted from a fresh perspective. It brings together 1000 unique items, perfectly blending ancient legends with modern idols, inspired by the word 'icon'.
Spartan warriors were the icons of their time, just as basketball superstars are the icons of ours. They both represent peak performance and unparalleled dedication. I hope to break the boundaries of time and place them in the same space. Whether you wield a sword or a basketball, in the Puffy universe, you belong to the same champion lineage.
OpenSea:
When you design Puffy characters like Spartan warriors or basketball legends, where do you start? Do you sketch first, do 3D modeling, or gather reference materials? What is your design process like?
Marcela Bellini:
My design process is a bit like product exploration. I start with the core identity and ask myself what makes this character recognizable at first glance. I usually skip pencil sketches and go straight into 3D modeling because I need to see the dimensionality immediately.
After determining the outline, I sometimes reference some AI concept art for inspiration. Then I delve into the materials; that unique 'fluffy' sheen is crucial. It must look high-end, almost like luxurious vinyl material. This is an iterative process until it feels 'right.'
OpenSea:
This series covers 13 categories, totaling 1000 products. How did you decide on these categories and types of products?
Marcela Bellini:
Filtering is the hardest part. I must ask myself: what is essential? I want a combination that is both globally minded and timeless. We have classic categories like 'warriors' and 'champions,' but I also want some that are more niche and culturally rich.
I am looking for prototypes with distinct visual characteristics. In reality, there are many more categories, but unfortunately, due to the limit of 1000 items, I had to leave some out.
OpenSea:
Is there a deeper story or universe behind these characters? How do you plan to expand the 'Puffy Universe' beyond this release?
Marcela Bellini:
That's right, you can think of the Puffy Universe as a parallel universe where the physical laws are more gentle, but the characters' personalities are equally vivid. Pantheon is just the minimum viable product (MVP) of this world. Besides this release, I also plan to expand this universe through interactive experiences.
I want collectors to feel that what they possess is a character that transcends a JPEG image and has vibrant life. We are building a scalable brand, not just a one-off gallery.
OpenSea:
Why did you decide to release this project on the Shape platform? What about this platform attracted you the most?
Marcela Bellini:
I view the platform from a product perspective. Shape stands out because it has perfectly crafted the user experience. It’s not just about technology; it’s about the feeling of use. Its barriers to entry are low, and the community atmosphere is strong.
For a series like Pantheon, I need a release platform that treats artworks as high-end products, and the Shape ecosystem perfectly fits my needs. It allows collectors to focus on the art itself rather than getting bogged down by cumbersome operations.
OpenSea:
What do you most look forward to collectors experiencing when minting? Do you have any particular favorite characters or categories that you are particularly obsessed with?
Marcela Bellini:
What I look forward to the most is the reveal moment, especially seeing everyone's reactions to various textures and expressions. As for favorites, I particularly favor vampires, transforming these dark, gothic, often frightening creatures into soft, harmless, fluffy characters is itself quite ironic. I also like categories like mafia, champions, and warriors.
OpenSea:
After 'Pantheon,' do you have any plans for the future development of the 'Puffy Universe'? Can you share any information about upcoming expansions or collaborations?
Marcela Bellini:
I am completely focused on long-term development. As I mentioned earlier, Pantheon is the cornerstone of the entire universe. The Puffy animation style presents excellently in dynamic visuals, opening many doors for us.
Looking ahead, I envision that we will expand into physical collectibles and even develop a mobile game. We want to bring these characters off the screen and build a real ecosystem around this IP.
Disclaimer: This content is for reference only and should not be considered financial or trading advice. Mention of specific projects, products, services, or tokens does not constitute endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation by OpenSea. OpenSea does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should verify any statements in this article before taking any action, and they are responsible for conducting due diligence before making any decisions.
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