An illustration named Tobias Krejtschi. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One of the original aims of IlluSalon was to bring foreign illustrators into the Chinese market as it continues to grow. Further down the track the idea is to introduce Chinese illustrators to the world.

IlluSalon says it has has signed contracts with about 1,000 foreign illustrators, mainly from Europe.

"Illustrators who want to join us can show us their works," Hou says. "After signing a contract with us we will link illustrators with customers, and eventually we should have a stable of great illustrators. They will be the backbone of IlluSalon."

Under IlluSalon's plans the website would eventually become a trading platform akin to taobao.com. Illustrators can post introductions of themselves and their works on the website, and potential customers can use key words to search for works or creators.

IlluSalon says that in addition to publishers, it has customers from other fields such as Apple and the global advertising agency Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn.

Illusalon says it has found illustrators from all over the world to paint emoji packages that users can pay to download from Apple.

"We want to build a platform through which the creative abilities of illustrators and their works can circulate efficiently globally," Hou says.

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