Quite often, lamps have an alluring animism: shades look like heads, necks look like their namesake, and bases look like feet. In the case of the black + blum reading light, the resemblance to the human form is obvious. black blum light has a bulb for a head and a socket for a body, with wire extremities poking out to display his prized possession. This little light mimics a seated person reading, holding a little book made of semi-translucent polypropylene. With the illumination coming from a recommended 40-watt bulb, the small lamp is ideal for reading.

black blum Light. Designed by Dan Black and Martin Blum of black+blum

Playful Reading Light by black + blum

black blum Light is the outcome of a design partnership between Dan Black and Martin Blum. The Anglo-Swiss duo formed black + blum, a company that began as a design consultancy. Their time designing for others eventually “catalysed the decision to develop our own range of products.” Now, black + blum have “a vehicle to fully explore and enjoy our creativity.”

Their “little chap” is constructed of polished zinc-plated wire construction. At a size of 15 cm high, the black blum light remains a modest fellow, though he is likely to grab people’s attention anyway. Available in orange, sky blue, or transparent, black blum Light also displays a changeable nature.

About the Manufacturer: London based black + blum began as a design consultancy in 1998. After several years advising designers, they realized that their “accumulating insight into different markets” had qualified them to get into the game themselves and develop their own range. The bulk of their line is lighting and kitchen accessories, each of which evinces their objective to “create functional products that will charm and entertain.”