Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Sëlwer in Heemartikelen Design Competition Category.

SëlwerHeemartikelen· 2026

Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

A' Design Award an Sëlwer Winner in Heemartikelen Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher

Upcycled Echo ass eng Serie vu keramesche Smart-Lautsprecher, déi aus ausgemusterte Keramik-Decalen hiergestallt ginn. Zu Jingdezhen gi jäerlech ongeféier 5 Prozent vun de Keramik-Decalen ewechgehäit. Dës recuperéiert Decale gi geschnidden, nei kombinéiert an als Collage op robust Porzeläinsschuele gesat, an duerno mat héijer Präzisioun gebrannt, fir d'Uewerfläch ze schützen. Integréiert High-Fidelity-Komponente suerge fir en ausbalancéierte Klang, an d'Lautsprecher verbanne sech mat Smartphonen fir Museksofspillung a Sproochinteraktioun. Den Design reduzéiert industriellen Offall a verbënnt d'Keramiktraditioun mat moderner Audiotechnologie.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Sëlwer

Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Sëlwer, enger aussergewéinlech prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un Designe vun der héchster Qualitéit, prächteg a beandrockend vergi gëtt. Sëlwer-Gewënner si bemierkenswäert brillant a ganz kreativ Wierker, déi d'erausragend Expertise, d'Talent an d'Schaarfsënnegkeet vun hire Designer weisen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher e wonnerbart, mustergëlteg, bemierkenswäert professionellt an déif innovatiivt Wierk ass. Dëst mam Sëlwer ausgezeechent Design ass eng bemierkenswäert, bewonnert Erfindung, déi dozou bäidréit, d'Grenze vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie ze erweideren. Upcycled Echo Keramik-Lautsprecher ass eng Kreatioun, op déi vill neidesch sinn, déi Wënsch erweckt, positiv Gefiller bréngt an Erstaunen a Wonner erweckt.

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.