Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Nyiaj in Tsim Khoom Siv Hauv Tsev Competition Category.

NyiajKhoom Siv Hauv Tsev· 2026

Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

A' Design Award Nyiaj Winner in Khoom Siv Hauv Tsev Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181229

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci

Upcycled Echo yog ib pawg lub suab nrov ntse (smart speaker) uas ua los ntawm cov duab lo av ci (ceramic decals) uas muab pov tseg lawm. Nyob rau hauv Jingdezhen, txhua xyoo muaj kwv yees li 5 feem pua ntawm cov duab lo av ci raug muab pov tseg. Cov duab lo uas rov qab khaws tau no raug muab txiav, muab rov sib xyaw thiab muab lo rau saum cov plhaub av ci (porcelain) uas ruaj khov, ces mam li muab hlawv kom raug siab heev los tiv thaiv daim npoo. Cov twj suab high-fidelity uas ntsia rau hauv pab muab suab nrov sib npaug zoo, thiab lub suab nrov no txuas tau rau xov tooj ntse (smartphone) los tso suab paj nruag thiab sib tham nrog lub suab hais lus. Qhov kev tsim no txo tau cov khib nyiab ntawm kev lag luam thiab muab kev coj noj coj ua ntawm av ci los txuas nrog thev naus laus zis suab niaj hnub no.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Nyiaj

Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Nyiaj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev tshaj li qub uas muab rau cov qauv tsim qib siab, zoo nkauj thiab ua rau neeg xav tsis thoob. Cov neeg yeej Nyiaj yog cov haujlwm ci ntsa iab heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas qhia txog kev paub, kev txawj ntse thiab kev ntse ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci xav tias yuav yog ib qho haujlwm zoo kawg nkaus uas tsim rau qhia, tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab tob. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Nyiaj no yog ib qho khoom tsim uas pom tseeb heev thiab neeg qhuas uas pab tau thiab nthuav dav ciam teb ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis. Upcycled Echo Lub Suab Nrov Av Ci yog ib qho khoom tsim uas neeg coob xav tau, uas ua rau xav, coj kev xav zoo thiab ua rau xav tsis thoob thiab xav paub.

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.