Black met Blum at the University of Northumbria from where they both graduated with a first in Design for Industry.  They set up black+blum in 1998 initially as a design consultancy but very soon decided to launch their own range of products. 

 

Funds were tight so the ethos was simple:  no tooling costs.

 

Maintaining this ethos a range of four innovative and entertaining lights was created and launched at 100% Design in 2000.  The response was exceptional.  Their future was mapped.  black+blum = product designers

 

From the start their aim was to be minimal, environmentally conscious but above all to give products soul. This integrity and charm remains a trademark of all black+blum products.

 

The success of the initial range allowed for more sophisticated manufacturing methods to be used.  This led to the development and production of the type of products associated with large design houses and manufacturers, such as the desk fan (2003). There are now 18 different products in the black+blum range.

 

Their design input does not stop with the product itself.  The packaging has also become part of the black+blum trademark.  It either has a function beyond packaging or it is ultra minimal. The packaging of their wine rack for example turns into a bottle storage after its primary use. Most of their packing is made from undyed recycled cardboard.

 

black+blum are based at their studio/shop at Oxo Tower Wharf on London’s South Bank.

 

Design Awards:

FX International design award 2001 (Reading Light)

LIGHT decorative design award 2001 (Reading Light)

OXO Peugeot Design award 2002 (James the doorman)

Expo Hogar Regalo Award Barcelona 2002 (James the doorman)

Top Drawer Best product 2003 (kind of magic)

Homes & Gardens Classic Design Award 2003 (boo)

Homes & Gardens Classic Design Award 2004 (propello)

Hidden Art, Best Product on E-shop 2005 (James)

Hidden Art, Top Seller 2006 (Loop)

Hidden Art, Most inspiring Company 2006 (runner up)

Grand Design Award, Best Product Winner, (Loop)

 

Outlets:

Conran, London and Paris

SCP, London

Geoffrey Drayton, London

Museum of Modern Art, New York and San Francisco

MXPLXI, New York

Vincon, Barcelona, Madrid

Pulma, Barcelona

SEMPRE, Tokyo

Cairo, Germany

Samaritaine, Paris

Penelope 3, Milan