Born in Milan, Joe Colombo, initially trained as a painter at the Accademia di Belle Arti (Brera Academy) before studying architecture at the Polytechnic of Milan. From 1951 to 1955, he worked independently as a painter and sculptur, establishing the Nuclear Painting Movement and later becoming a founding member of the Art Concret Group. In 1962, he opened his own design office, working among others for Kartell, O-Luce, Comfort and Bayer. In 1970, he, Pierre Paulin and Sori Yanagi were co-authors of ”New Form Furniture: Japan”.