Joe Colombo

Cesare Colombo, known by his nickname 'joe' , was born in Milan in 1930 as the second of three brothers. Colombo's several studies show his interest and urge for knowledge in different areas. After studying science he changed to arts at secondary school. Later he studied painting and sculpture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Brera, Milan before studying architecture at the polytechnic.

From 1951 to 1955, Joe Colombo worked independently as a painter and sculptor. He joined the 'nuclear painting' movement and later became a founding member of the 'art concrete' group. He came to design relatively late.

in 1958, Joe and his younger brother Gianni took over the running of the ribbon family firm.

Joe Colombo abandoned painting, but used the factory as a playground by experimenting with the latest production processes and newly developed plastics such as fibreglass, ABS, PVC and polyethylene. Concentrating on industrial design from 1962 – 1971 he believed that good domestic design is available to everyone.

When opened a design studio in Milan he worked on architectural and design commissions with industry and retail stores. His clients included companies like Alessi, Boffi, Kartell, Stilnovo, Rosenthal and Zanotta. Certainly, his vision was ingenuously optimistic: his intent was based on the belief that many problems can be solved by the use of new materials – first and foremost plastic.

Since he suffered a severe heart attack in 1967 Joe Colombo was aware that his life might be short. Therefore he knew there had to be a faster way to do many things - and he did them all together. Uunfortunately he actually died with a young age of 41. He was one of the most influential and representative designers of the modern epoch. His adventuristic and futuristic character became his trademark.