The EC Phone is an innovative integration of aesthetics, ergonomics, and technology. The simple curve to translate the smoothness of the information flow between the mouth and ear uses the Chinese Yin/Yang principle to echo the input and output of the information process: concave for the ear cup- input, convex for the mouth section- output. This can also be seen in the relationship between the base and the handset.

The profile of the telephone is the result of thorough human factors research. This ergonomic profile of the handset offers the best angle for hearing and speaking. The soft rubber face provides ear comfort as well as sound insulation, especially for long conversations or use in a noisy environment. The back of the handset is shaped to provide a shoulder cradle for hands free situations.

When the handset is placed in the cradle base, a solid-state magnetic on/off switch inside the phone cuts the connection automatically. This innovative switch application makes it easy to hang up with out any moving parts.

The major success of this phone design comes from the rubber face, which gives a warm soft feel to the phone as well as providing a smooth keypad area. It is made from an inventive two shot injection method whereby an injected rigid polycarbonate structural frame is re-inserted into another mold for the outside thermoplastic layer.

Business Week names the EC Phone “The Best Product of the Year” in 1989. The EC Phone has won numerous international awards and was exhibited and selected as permanent design collection piece in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.