Vector 14 in Wall Sconce | Blackjack Lighting

Vector reduces the wall sconce to a single lit plane. A 14-inch bar of evenly diffused light stands on a compact square backplate, and the only metal you see is a thin Satin Nickel trim that caps each end and runs along the edges like a pencil line. There is no visible lamp, no shade and no bright spot: the whole face glows at one even level from top to bottom.

The maker describes it as crisp and low slung, and that is the character it brings to a wall. At 2.75 inches deep it sits close to the surface, so it reads as a flat graphic element rather than a projecting fixture. The trim catches a little reflected light, which keeps the edge sharp against tile or plaster, while the diffuser stays soft enough to look at directly. Used in pairs it frames a mirror with two clean verticals; used alone it is a quiet modern accent.

Design notes

• Even field of light: the diffuser is lit uniformly along its 14 in length, so the bar reads as one calm surface with no hot spots.
• Edge detail: a slim Satin Nickel trim outlines the diffuser and caps both ends, giving a precise, tailored profile.
• Shallow footprint: 2.75 in overall depth on a 5 in by 4.6 in backplate keeps the fixture close to the wall.
• Color you can set: a slide switch on the housing selects 2700K, 3000K, 3500K or 4000K at installation, with 90 CRI throughout.
• Two drivers: 120V with TRIAC dimming as standard, or a 120-277V driver for TRIAC, ELV and 0-10V control.

Specifications

Downloads

• Vector 14 in specification sheet (PDF)
• Vector 14 in installation instructions (PDF)

Stephen Blackman and Blackjack Lighting

Blackjack Lighting is the studio of industrial designer Stephen Blackman, its President and Chief Design Officer. Trained in industrial design at Syracuse University, Blackman began his lighting career in 1984 at Sonneman Design Group, then founded Blackman Design Associates in 1988, designing decorative and architectural lighting for manufacturers including Kichler. He launched Blackjack in 2013 in suburban Chicago, now based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, to build fixtures conceived for LED from the first sketch.

His argument is that the LED should change the shape of a light, not just its efficiency. Rather than hiding a new source inside old bulb-and-shade forms, Blackjack designs around the small, flat, cool-running LED: thin discs, slim rods, glowing rings and lenses that let the light itself become the object. In his own words, "Decorative lighting by its nature is not primarily about optimizing lamp efficiency, it is primarily about decoration!" Vector applies that thinking to the most everyday light in the house: a sconce that is nothing more than a band of even light and a fine metal edge.

Questions

What is the design idea behind Vector?

To make the light itself the form. Instead of a shade around a bulb, Vector is a flat bar of uniform light with a thin metal trim, so the fixture reads as a clean line on the wall.

Who designs Blackjack lighting?

Industrial designer Stephen Blackman, President and Chief Design Officer, who has designed lighting since 1984 and founded Blackjack in 2013 to make fixtures built around LED.

Which driver should I choose?

The 120V TRIAC version suits most homes with a standard dimmer. Choose the 120-277V version for commercial voltages or when the lighting is controlled by 0-10V or ELV dimmers.

Can I change the color of the light?

Yes. A switch on the back of the housing sets 2700K, 3000K, 3500K or 4000K during installation, all at 90 CRI.

What warranty does it carry?

Three years on the integrated LED and its power supply, and one year on materials and workmanship, for the original buyer in the US and Canada.