Designer Trent Jansen is at the forefront of design anthropology, a furniture and interior design movement in which designers and anthropologists work closely to produce products informed by the symbolism and visual principles of other cultures.
Each piece he designs has a rough, primal energy derived from a variety of techniques, whether incorporating scales into the surface of a side table or suggesting a spider’s shape through the form of a bench. Jansen holds immense respect for heritage, reverently and conscientiously embedding cultural identity and history in his pieces.
Jansen grew up in the small town of Kiama on the southeast Australian coast. He began his studies at the Industrial Design School of the University of Alberta in Canada and then transferred to the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales, where he received his bachelor’s degree in design. He later earned a PhD from the University of Wollongong.
He then worked under Dutch designer Marcel Wanders in Amsterdam. In 2004, Jansen returned to Australia and opened his design studio in Sydney. Eventually, he relocated to Thirroul on the southern coast of Australia’s New South Wales.
Jansen has exhibited his work in solo and group shows worldwide, including at the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia, and venues in Singapore, Beijing and Milan. His awards include the 2008 Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award, the Australia Council for the Arts “Project Funding” Award in 2019 and 2017 and a 2021 Design Files + Laminex Design Award.
Today, Jansen continues to design new pieces and create outstanding works of furniture out of his studio in Thirroul.
On 1stDibs, find an intriguing array of Trent Jansen seating, tables, storage pieces and more.
Manta Pilti Credenza / Dry Sand - in collaboration with Tanya Singer
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Walnut
Pregnant chair by Trent Jansen and Marcel Wanders for Moooi, 2008
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS, Trent Jansen
Located in Steenwijk, NL
This is a very special, fun and playful chair. The so called 'Pregnant Chair' was designed by Trent Jansen in cooperation with Marcel Wanders for Moooi....
Wood
Mantu Pilti Low Chair / Dry Sand - in collaboration with Tanya Singer
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Kutitji Chair by Trent Jansen: Design Anthropology & Australian Craft (2/8)
By Trent Jansen
Located in Paddington, NSW
The Kutitji Chair by Australian designer Trent Jansen is a deeply expressive collectible piece shaped by his signature method of Design Anthropology—an approach that blends research,...
Walnut
$43,035
Kutitji Chair / Shield
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$3,548 / item
Saddle Vassel Tall
By Trent Jansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Trent Jansen is a designer based in Thirroul, Australia, and Lecturer at the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney Australia. Jansen gained his PhD from the Universi...
Brass
Demetra Tan Round Tall Basket with Lid
By Pinetti
Located in Milan, IT
Designed and crafted exclusively by Pinetti, this striking leather basket offers a luxurious and practical solution to storage around the house. Beautifully handwoven leather strips ...
Leather
Tall Bronze Pedestal Bowl
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant, hand-made pedestal bowl with an undulating edge and metallic glaze. Each is one-of-a-kind. Decorative use only; handwashing recommended.
Ceramic
$2,400
H 25.25 in W 18 in D 17 in
Charles Dudouyt Fireside Low Chair or Stool in Stained Oak with Rush Seat
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A low fireside chair (chauffeuse) or stool in stained oak attributed to Charles Duduouyt, with turned, truncated cone-shaped legs floating over rece...
Straw, Rush, Oak
Chair D
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The handwoven technique of the 'Petatillo' in Yucatan has been practiced for more than 50 years. Usually, it is woven with natural cane. This is one hundred percent artisan work, whi...
Nylon, Wood
Japanese Wooden block chair /wabi-sabi chair / private chair /
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This chair is crafted from a tree trunk left in its natural form. Zelkova wood is used for the material. Although the surface is finished in black with cashew paint, the beautiful ...
Wood
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with light brown fiber, ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Undulating Méandre Chair by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Undulating dark bronze 'Méandre' chair by Design Frères. Chic and understated.
Steel
$1,399 / set
H 29.53 in W 10.63 in D 18.51 in
Hand-crafted Primitive Design Solid Wood Pair of Chairs, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Hand-crafted Primitive Design Solid Wood Pair of Chairs, 1950s, Italy Wear consistent with age and use. Measurements: Height: 75 cm Width: 27 cm Depth: 47 cm Seat height: 37 cm
Wood
Chair D
By Chuch Estudio
Located in Mérida, MX
The handwoven technique of the 'Petatillo' in Yucatan has been practiced for more than 50 years. Usually, it is woven with natural cane. This is one hundred percent artisan work, whi...
Nylon, Wood
$11,750
H 25 in W 74.63 in D 17.88 in
Early Florence Knoll Credenza in Rosewood with Calacatta Gold Marble Top
By Knoll, Florence Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Florence Knoll credenza in rosewood, drawer fronts are book matched with original beautiful Gold Calacatta marble top. The 10 drawer Rosewood cabinet has been restored, chrome pulls ...
Metal
$4,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 41 in W 27 in D 33 in
Contemporary Club Chair Designed by Christian Astuguevieille
By Christian Astuguevieille
Located in North Miami, FL
Contemporary club chair designed by Christian Astuguevieille and made by hand of Natural Hemp Rope. His signature creations wrapped in hemp rope or painted cotton cord and is distinguished by tribal-like forms. It comes with a Leather Pillow By ADRI Collection...
Hemp, Rope
Mid-Century, English Credenza and Dry Bar by Beautility
By Beautility
Located in Atlanta, GA
This vintage mid-century credenza was designed and manufactured by 'beautility furniture' in England during the 1950s. A posh, stylishly designed credenza, the burl wood melamine veneered cabinet rests on tapered legs. The case consists of two outer drawers, the left fitted and lined with green felt for silver service. Beneath, two cabinet doors with raised paneled handles open to cupboards with interior shelving for additional storage. The cupboards flank a drinks cabinet lined in white formica with a fold-down pouring shelf. The drinks cabinet features a mirrored back and curved shelf...
Brass, Chrome