The Chosen Designer - Joe Colombo (1930-1971)
Joe Colombo, one of Italy's most prolific designer in the sixties, creating some of the world most memorable products during this period.
Borned in Milan, Cesare Colombo, nicknamed "Joe" was the second of three brothers.
He took over the running of the family's factory when his father became ill in 1958. He gave up painting but used the factory as his personal workspace to experiment with the latest production process and newly developed plastic like the fibreglass.
In 1962, He opened a design studio in Milan where he worked on architectural commissions, mostly interiors for ski lodges and mountain hotels (skiing was one of his passions). He also continued his experiments in product design to which he applied the same love of bold, folding, curvaceous forms. His emphasis was on change and the possibility of harnessing new technologies to produce new design solutions in furnitures in a era when the world were hooked on the promise of new ways of living.
But sadly Joe Colombo dies of heart failure on 30 July, his 41st birthday.
His works and products
"BOBY" TrolleyA utility-cart with rotating trays connected to the vertical axle running the length of one of its sides. "BOBY" was specifically studied for use alongside a drawing table, but can easily be used in the office as well as the home, thanks to its vertical stackability and storage capacity.
"5 in 1" GLASSESeach can be inserted one inside the other, in integrable form forming a stylized flower and its compact.
Additional Living System
In 1967, he unveiled the Additional Living System consisting of moulded polyurethane cushions in six different sizes which could be pinned together in different configurations according to the users' wishes.
These are the examples of compositioning all his design as a room. You can see that he uses alot of curves and even if he uses straight lines, the corner where the lines meet are always rounded.
Elda ArmchairThis armchair clearly show his love to curves as most of the design in contains only rounded corners and more CURVES!
"MULTI-CHAIR" ARMCHAIRThis armchair is a convertible system composed of two stuffed and elasticized fabric-covered cushions which can be used separately or together. They can be positioned differently to form chairs, or armchairs of various orientation, for conversation or relaxation. Two hooks with leather connections serve to fix the cushions in place. Cool huh.
"SUPERLEGGERA" ARMCHAIRMain thing about this chair is COMFORT! The individual sections of cushions are differently sized and made stiff by plastic splints for comfort. Even the arm rest also have cushion!
"ROLL" ARMCHAIR
The armchair made of rollers, hence its name, ROLL. Again, CURVES~
As you can see, most of his works show his love to curves and I believe he was influenced by the 60s style when things were getting more stylish and modern. People often says him as the inventor of the future, which is quite true as most of his designs I believe even me in this modern world will buy his creations and put in my room. =D
Meimei whispers.
&4:46 AM