Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Airgid A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Uidheam-taighe Competition Category.

AirgeadUidheam-taighe· 2026

Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

Duais Airgid A' Design Award Winner in Uidheam-taighe Category

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Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach

'S e sreath de ghlaodhairean smart ceirmeach a th' ann an Upcycled Echo, air an dèanamh à decals ceirmeach a chaidh a thilgeil air falbh. Ann an Jingdezhen, thèid mu 5 sa cheud de decals ceirmeach a thilgeil air falbh gach bliadhna. Tha na decals ath-bhuannaichte seo air an gearradh, air an ath-chur còmhla agus air an co-thàthadh air sligean poirceallain seasmhach, agus an uair sin air an losgadh le fìor mhionaideachd gus an uachdar a dhìon. Tha co-phàirtean àrd-dhìlseachd amalaichte a' toirt seachad fuaim cothromaichte, agus tha na glaodhairean a' ceangal ri fònaichean-làimhe airson ceòl a chluich agus eadar-obrachadh gutha. Tha an dealbhadh a' lùghdachadh sgudal gnìomhachais agus a' ceangal dualchas ceirmeach ri teicneòlas claistinneach an latha an-diugh.

The Recognition

About the Duais Airgid A' Design Award

Tha Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach air Duais Airgid A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean den chiad ìre, àlainn agus drùidhteach. Tha buannaichean Airgid nan obraichean anabarrach boillsgeach agus gu math cruthachail a nochdas sàr-eòlas, tàlant agus geurchuis an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach na obair mhìorbhaileach, na sàr-eisimpleir a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus gu domhainn ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Airgid A' Design Award na innleachd glè fhaicsinneach, ion-mholta a bhrosnaicheas crìochan ealain, saidheans, dealbhaidh agus teicneolais. Tha Upcycled Echo Glaodhaire Ceirmeach na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran eud, a dhùisgeas miannan, a bheir faireachdainnean math agus a thogas iongnadh is miorbhail.

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.