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Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Arĝenta A' Design Award in Dezajno de Hejmaj Uzaĵoj Competition Category.


ArĝentoHejmaj Uzaĵoj· 2026

Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

Arĝenta A' Design Award Winner in Hejmaj Uzaĵoj Category

Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo

Upcycled Echo estas serio de ceramikaj inteligentaj laŭtparoliloj faritaj el forĵetitaj ceramikaj dekalkomanioj. En Jingdezhen, ĉirkaŭ 5 procentoj de ceramikaj dekalkomanioj estas forĵetataj ĉiujare. Ĉi tiuj reakiritaj dekalkomanioj estas tranĉataj, rekombinataj kaj kolaĝataj sur daŭremaj porcelanaj ŝeloj, poste bakataj kun alta precizeco por protekti la surfacon. Integritaj altfidelecaj komponantoj provizas ekvilibran sonon, kaj la laŭtparoliloj konektiĝas al inteligentaj telefonoj por muzikludado kaj voĉa interago. La dezajno reduktas industrian rubon kaj ligas ceramikan tradicion kun moderna aŭdia teknologio.

The Recognition

About the Arĝenta A' Design Award

Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo estas gajninto de la Arĝenta A' Design Award, grandege prestiĝa rekono donata al plejklasaj, belegaj kaj impresaj dezajnoj. La Arĝentaj gajnintoj estas treege brilaj kaj treege kreemaj verkoj, kiuj ilustras la elstaran sperton, talenton kaj sagacon de siaj dezajnistoj. Oni atendas, ke Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo estu mirinda, montrinda verko, kiu estas rimarkinde profesia kaj profunde nova. Ĉi tiu dezajno gajninta la Arĝentan A' Design Award estas tre rimarkinda, admirata inventaĵo, kiu profitigas kaj antaŭenigas la limojn de arto, scienco, dezajno kaj teknologio. Upcycled Echo Ceramika Laŭtparolilo estas vaste enviata kreaĵo, kiu vekas dezirojn, alportas pozitivajn sentojn kaj ekbrilas miron kaj mirigon.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
This design transforms discarded ceramic decals into handcrafted HiFi ceramic speakers through artistic collage. By upcycling industrial waste, it reduces environmental impact while creating unique surfaces and strong cultural identity. Integrating durable ceramic craftsmanship with modern acoustic technology, it delivers high-quality sound and meaningful sustainable value.
Dimensions & Packaging
50 x 50 mm x 60 mm
Tags
Ceramic Speakers, Smart Audio, HiFi Sound, Upcycled Materials, Sustainability, Jingdezhen Ceramic, Handcrafted Collage, Cultural Heritage, Interactive Design, Eco-friendly Design
Production Technology
The speakers are handcrafted from reclaimed ceramic decals, which are cut, recombined, and collaged onto durable porcelain shells. High-precision ceramic firing ensures surface integrity, while integrated HiFi components provide balanced acoustic performance. The process merges traditional ceramic craftsmanship with modern audio engineering, enabling compact, ergonomic, and visually unique speakers that combine sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality.
Design Challenge
The main challenge was transforming discarded ceramic decals into functional, aesthetic HiFi speakers. Internally, we balanced tradition, cultural motifs, and modern design. Externally, constraints included industrial waste quality, material durability, and integrating audio technology. Overcoming these required iterative prototyping, precise collage techniques, and collaboration with local artisans to merge craftsmanship, sustainability, and high-quality sound.
Research
This design research is a sustainability-driven, applied study aiming to reduce ceramic decal waste and explore cultural innovation. Using field surveys, interviews with Jingdezhen artisans, and analysis of industrial waste data, we identified that about 5% of decals are discarded annually. Experiments with collage techniques and prototype speakers demonstrated functional, artistic upcycling. The insights show that combining tradition with modern technology can create socially and environmentally responsible products, impacting design, culture, and sustainable business practices.
Inspiration
Inspired by Jingdezhen’s ceramic industry, where about 5% of decals are discarded annually, this project transforms waste into artistic HiFi speakers. Recombining and handcrafting motifs merges traditional ceramic heritage with modern design, promoting sustainability, cultural preservation, and playful, meaningful interaction.
Project Duration
The project started in April 2025 in Jingdezhen and finished in September 2025 in Jingdezhen.
Operation Flow
This is a series of ceramic smart speakers that connect to smartphones, delivering high-fidelity (HiFi) music playback and voice interaction, providing users with a versatile audio experience.
Team Members
Designer: Chao Yang
Designer: Yang Xiang
Designer: Qiang Sun
Designer: Chunlong Xiang
Image Credits
Image #Main Image: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #1: Designer Chun Long, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #2: Designer Qiang Sun, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #3: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #4: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.

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