Michael Santella was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela in 1961. He came to Canada in 1963.

Graduated, with distinction, from the school of Industrial Design at Carleton University, Ottawa, in June of 1987. He gained extensive experience in plastic product design and transportation design while working as a junior and senior industrial designer at various design studios in Montreal and in France between 1985 and 1991, including GSM DESIGN INC. for two summers and for Carrosserie Toutenkamion S.A. in France for one summer. After graduating he worked for MICHEL DALLAIRE until 1991. He founded DIBIS, Inc. in January 1992, a product design and manufacturing company based in Montreal.

Michael has received international design awards and recognition from both the industry and his peers for the quality of his products and design projects. His products have been selected by numerous publications and design exhibitions throughout North America. The Museum of Modern Art in New York City as well as numerous other well know retail shops around the world sell products designed by Michael Santella and manufactured by DIBIS. He is the only three time winner of the prestigious Accent on Design Award at the New York International Gift Fair, given annually for best product design.

Michael also works as a free lance Industrial Designer and teaches at the University de Montreal. He has been teaching at Dawson College since August 2002.