Biography of 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. 

His father guiseppe had inherited a ribbon factory
which he turned it into an electrical conductor
manufactury. In 1958, joe and his younger brother
gianni took over the running of the 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.
Unfortunately 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.
Have a look at some of his successful designs.