Cisco Desk Phone 9800 series
Transforming the desk for modern work, one phone at a time.
The desk phone is one of the workplace’s most ubiquitous objects, yet has never been reimagined. The Cisco 9800 Series transforms it into an intelligent, modular platform for hybrid work, integrating AI-driven communication, workplace management, and hot-desking into a device deployed globally.
Main Lead Designer with Ladislao Camarena
Supported by Leila Ensaniat & Naoki Shimada.
iF Award Winner 2026 | US Patent D1089134
World Wide Launch 2025 | Product Page
Leadership Gavin Ivester | Otto Williams
Where do we go from here?
Cisco’s phones comprise of 100+ million units serving as the backbone of communication around the world in addition to being a $100M/year market. The goal is to modernize, evolve & re-define the desk phone.
A New Era
“The Webex research group tells us that 80% of employers are mandating a full or partial return to office. We also heard challenges with open office spaces, making it clear that the phone would need to evolve to stay relevant in the hybrid office”
Organizations are shifting to shared, non-dedicated desks.
Users want it to be easy to find a space and have a personalized experience.
IT is faced with many technologies to monitor desk usage and booking such as – desk reservation devices, visual indicators, and sensors, but lack a single turn key solution.
If you confuse, you’ll lose
A decade old portfolio without oversight resulted in a complex, niche in a niche lineup of 30 unique devices that is confusing to customers, ultimately not satisfying the user and their needs.
Objectives
Create a scalable design identity that will work over multiple product sizes.
Detail for sustainable practices and contribute to circular economy.
Create a strong, functional, visual element.
Manage mass to reduce material use and introduce a modular approach to form and assembly.
UX to make reserving and managing desks a smooth interaction.
Manage costs within the range.
Problem
Declining sales and a changing work environment requires the phone to evolve, by solving the challenges of flexible hot-desking and outdated user experiences by integrating meetings, calls, and desk personalization into one device.
Task
I was responsible for leading the entire design effort; from ideation to design program management through DFM with multiple suppliers to assure consistent execution for all product SKUs.
Action
I led 3 designers through ideation, finalized the design, developed master CAD, and collaborated with mechanical, acoustic, and UX teams to meet acoustic SPL, cosmetic, LED, and key behavior targets.
Result
This device revived the phone lineup with large orders and improved return to office experiences for employees and admins. Customers were impressed with the UX improvements and design language.
750K
annual booking
Highest launch sales for Cisco devices
150%
sales increase
YoY forecasts beat
4 unit
efficient lineup
30 model portfolio reduced to 4 models
100M
dollar revenue
Global $100 million yearly revenue stream
25%↑
acoustic volume
larger acoustic volume for wideband audio
20%↓
material usage
Less material usage for lower shipping impacts
75%+
PCR ABS parts
All major plastic parts are 85% PCR and fully recyclable
A First Impression is Everything
Our aim was to create a bold, brandable yet functional visual signature- The Arc
Iconic
Evolution
A previously decorative element has been evolved into a functional visual indicator to define this new generation of devices.
Data driven
Customer complaints pointed to weak acoustic performance on older generation of phones. As a result, the size of the acoustic chamber grew and dictated the overall proportions with clever detailing helped manage the mass.
Design Ethos
Simple, Precise and Elemental Boldness
Mass is disguised by creating contrast between thin and thick areas. Precision is further expressed in the layered display lenses, which are frameless and visually float, reducing visual bulk.
Scalability & Modularity
Designing from the inside out; 4 models with different feature sets and multiple suppliers required the design language to scale and adapt, even for future models. This attention to detail results in effective component sharing into the 60% range.
Timeless
A 85% PCR blend comprise the highlighted plastics, including double-shots. A min 10 year supported lifespan requires serviceability, with no adhesives and simple hand tools for disassembly. At the end of life Cisco will take back and regrind the plastics into new devices.
2544
Barrels of Crude/year, saved
Situational
Intelligence
Physical AI inserts itself into the workplace to bring efficiency and reduce friction.
Let there be
Light
Defining and prototyping the LED resulted in the Arc LED signature that will define Cisco’s phones for a decade.
A single LED fires up a fiber strand
to efficiently signal device behavior
More
than a Phone
The phone helps organize the workday for a stress-free office experience, while usage data enables workplace teams to better manage seating and resources.
Book your desk in advance or on the fly.
Sit down, scan, and go with QR-code-enabled hot desking.
View, call, and meet with your calendar and contacts at your fingertips.
One Tap
to join a meeting
When a meeting is scheduled, a hidden till lit “button” will light up signaling that one can join the meeting, discreetly and avoiding becoming a distraction.
Ready
for any action
In the event of an emergency situation, the action key can be configured to dial out any preconfigured entity, from emergency services to security. The button can also be configured to be a long press or single quick tap as a silent alarm.
In collaboration with UX team led by Justin Styler and Dave Boor
Everything Everywhere
My goal was to lead the team into the nuance of the requirements and inspire a new visual identity. Cross pollination resulted in a fresh approach from which I led detail development, with our multiple engineering, UX, software teams and external manufacturers.
One spark
is all it takes
The first step is to flush out the archetype and start with a baseline concept that is not too radical and can be used as a foundation for the team to build upon.
Base Definition
Evolve, converge and move forward. The goal here is to push the visual language to be more expressive and create a brandable signature while subtly nodding to the past.
Defining Visual Language
Getting physical to critique the merits of each direction, visually and execution feasibility.
Whole Holes
A case study
A larger acoustic chamber relative to prior generations required more acoustic transparency across a smaller area, requiring some creative experimentation to maintain wideband certification.
Bridging Bridges
The Golden Gate referenced in the Cisco logo allowed the requisite airflow while being an excellent visual third read.
Details
Make’th
Testing
1.2.3.
Moving the beltline, sharpening up the perimeters were considered and tested, but a softer shape was the best approach based on user testing.
Stand development was driven by a two goals: Rigidity and a single part. The Result is a “monoblock” design that is reversible for achieving a 45° & 30° interaction angle.
Dialing in the gradient for the LED’s gradient required clear communications with multiple suppliers to achieve design intent. The result is a smooth gradient that fades out towards the end.
The Arc Accent piece is a complex, thin, multi-axis surface part that bridges the lens with the body, requiring multiple iterations to allow for high yields while delivering Class A cosmetic finishes.
Comfort is paramount and a wide range of users confirmed the best fit handset under a range of hand sizes and grip styles.
Details such as screw boss locations were negotiated with Engineering to maintain design intent while avoid distortions in the boss aperture.
Proof in the
Process
Sub Supplier A
Making Lemonade…
A split agreement resulted in several suppliers creating the 4 unit lineup in two colorways. The task at hand was to ensure design intent is maintained and consistent across continents.
Supplier A
…with Perfect Results
Supplier B
Specialty Supplier B
Cisco
9800
Customer Testimonials
Action button is a game changer
|
UX and touchscreen are welcome adds
|
Sounds way better than the older models
|
Pretty Sleek! Love the white
|
Substantially lighter than older models and feels crafted
|
Buttons feel tactile and addictive
|
Smaller form factor then the competing HP Poly Edge phones and feel more quality
|
Super easy to deploy on UCM
|
Action button is a game changer | UX and touchscreen are welcome adds | Sounds way better than the older models | Pretty Sleek! Love the white | Substantially lighter than older models and feels crafted | Buttons feel tactile and addictive | Smaller form factor then the competing HP Poly Edge phones and feel more quality | Super easy to deploy on UCM |