Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Airgid A' Design Award in Dearadh Earraí Tí Competition Category.

AirgeadEarraí Tí· 2026

Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

Duais Airgid A' Design Award Winner in Earraí Tí Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach

Is sraith de challairí cliste ceirmeacha é Upcycled Echo atá déanta as aistreoga ceirmeacha caite. In Jingdezhen, caitear amach thart ar 5 faoin gcéad d'aistreoga ceirmeacha gach bliain. Gearrtar na haistreoga athshlánaithe seo, athchumtar iad agus déantar colláis díobh ar bhlaoscanna poirceallán marthanacha, agus ansin lostar iad le hardchruinneas chun an dromchla a chosaint. Soláthraíonn comhpháirteanna ard-dílseachta comhtháite fuaim chothrom, agus nascann na callairí le fóin chliste le haghaidh seinm ceoil agus idirghníomhaíocht ghutha. Laghdaíonn an dearadh dramhaíl thionsclaíoch agus nascann sé traidisiún na ceirmeachta le teicneolaíocht fuaime nua-aimseartha.

The Recognition

About the Duais Airgid A' Design Award

Bhuaigh an dearadh Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach Duais Airgid A' Design Award, aitheantas an-ghradamach a bhronntar ar dhearaí ardchaighdeáin, álainn agus drámatach. Is saothair thar a bheith drithleacha agus an-chruthaitheach iad buaiteoirí Airgid a léiríonn saineolas, tallann agus géarchúis shármhaith a ndearthóirí. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an dearadh Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach ina shaothar iontach, ina léiriú sampla, thar a bheith gairmiúil agus go domhain nuálach. Is aireagán an-suntasach, ionadmhuirthe é an dearadh seo a bhuaigh Duais Airgid A' Design Award a dhéanann leas do theorainneacha na healaíne, na heolaíochta, an deartha agus na teicneolaíochta agus a chuireann chun cinn iad. Is cruthú é an dearadh Upcycled Echo Callaire Ceirmeach a bhfuil formad mór leis, a mhúsclaíonn mianta, a thugann mothúcháin dhearfacha agus a adhnann iontas agus ionadh.

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.