Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award in Izinto Zasekhaya Competition Category.

IsilivaIzinto Zasekhaya· 2026

Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award Winner in Izinto Zasekhaya Category

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Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba

I-Upcycled Echo iwuchungechunge lwezipikha ezihlakaniphile zobumba ezenziwe ngama-decal obumba alahliwe. E-Jingdezhen, cishe amaphesenti angu-5 ama-decal obumba ayalahlwa unyaka ngamunye. Lawa ma-decal abuyisiwe ayasikwa, ahlanganiswe kabusha futhi anamathiselwe emagobolondweni e-porcelain aqinile, bese eshiswa ngokunembile okuphezulu ukuze kuvikelwe indawo engaphandle. Izingxenye ezihlanganisiwe zomsindo osezingeni eliphezulu zinikeza umsindo olinganisekile, futhi izipikha zixhumeka nama-smartphone ukuze kudlalwe umculo futhi kuxhunyanwe ngezwi. Lo mklamo unciphisa imfucuza yezimboni futhi uhlanganisa isiko lobumba nobuchwepheshe besimanje bomsindo.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award

Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba iwinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile ngokungajwayelekile okunikezwa imiklamo esezingeni eliphezulu, ebukekayo nethinta kakhulu. Abawinile beSiliva yimisebenzi egqamile kakhulu nedala kakhulu ebonisa ubungcweti obuphawulekayo, italente nobuhlakani babaklami babo. Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba ilindeleke ukuba ibe ngumsebenzi omuhle wesibonelo, onobungcweti obuphawulekayo nezinto ezintsha ezijulile. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wesiliva we-A' Design Award uyinto entsha ebonakala kakhulu nethakazelisayo esiza futhi isunduza imingcele yobuciko, isayensi, ukuklama nobuchwepheshe. Upcycled Echo Isipikha Sobumba iyinto enomhawu omkhulu kuyo evusa izifiso, ilethe imizwa emihle futhi ivuse ukumangala nokuxakeka.

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.