Toying with fresh ideas

One of his fans, He Hexi, comments that she now understands why there have been less desirable toys. "So there are opportunities for him to show his extraordinary vision," she says.

As Zhao's skills have improved, he has caught the attention of some toy brands and has signed a contract with Pop Mart. The cooperation has increased the chances of his work becoming a series, he says.

"They make things easier to connect with the fans, who will more likely look forward to what you're going to bring out next," Zhao explains.

Despite his achievements in doll customization circles, Zhao says he doesn't rely on the vocation for a living. Instead, he keeps it as a diversion, which has enabled him to better focus on his more serious experienced-based design business.

When Zhao finishes a busy day at work, he returns home to his "doll house".

"I enjoy beautiful moments, galloping in my own free world," he says, adding that he then recharges his batteries and is able to give his undivided attention to work, keeping an acute sense of the art and logics required in his formal design job.

Although doll renovation has been picked up by an increasing number of artists, it is still considered a gray area in the world of art, experts say.

Zhao is up against copyright infringement behavior and has stressed no copycat or commercial applications on his social media account.

Years of IP (intellectual property) derivative design experiences have given him a sharp legal sense about copyright.

"If you want to commercially cash in on an IP for your personal interest, you're certainly stepping into copyright infringement territory," he says.