In 1959, José Espinho founded his own design studio and began working with Portuguese companies to design products in a variety of fields, including lighting, furniture and tableware. He quickly became known for his clean, functional style, which was very much in tune with the modernist trends of the time.
Over the years, José Espinho has won several awards for his work, including the Design Award from the Royal Society of Arts in 1961 and the Grand Prix from the Milan Triennale in 1964. His career was cut short by his death in 1979, but his influence on Portuguese design continues to be recognized today.