CREATING A TRENDY TOY IS MORE THAN MERE CHILD'S PLAY

From AI and 3D printing to talented painters, there's an art to developing the next big collectible

In the world of designer toys, few names stand out right now quite like the Chinese sensation Labubu — a plush toy capturing the imagination of collectors around the globe.

But creating such charming figures is actually a modern science, combining avant-garde ideas and an understanding of culture with technology, artificial intelligence, psychology and a knowledge of market trends.