Born in 1930, Cesare ‘Joe’ Colombo's initial training encompassed painting and sculpture at the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, followed by architecture studies at Milan's Polytechnic. In 1959, due to circumstances requiring him to take charge of the family business, he eventually established his independent design studio in 1962. Within this space, he gave life to modular, forward-looking furnishing accessories with dynamic aesthetics, collaborating with prominent firms like Oluce, Kartell, and Alessi. Notably, his portfolio features iconic pieces that have become synonymous with Italian design, notably the Tube Chair and the Spider lamp.

During the innovative climate of the 1960s, Colombo emerged as a visionary, driven to prefigure the future habitat by crafting interiors and living modules. Placing the individual at the heart of his creative philosophy, he championed a holistic design ethos that harnessed technology and novel materials. His creations are marked by their modularity and adaptability, seamlessly adjusting to users' requirements.

Despite his untimely passing in 1971 at the age of 41, Joe Colombo garnered numerous accolades. These include the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award on multiple occasions and the Design International Award in Chicago in 1968, attesting to his enduring influence on the design landscape.