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.
Pregnant chair by Trent Jansen and Marcel Wanders for Moooi, 2008
By MARCEL WANDERS, Trent Jansen, Moooi
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
$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
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
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
$1,398 / 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
$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
$972 / item
H 31.5 in W 17.33 in D 19.3 in
Rey Chair Scarlet Red by Bruno Rey for Dietiker, in Collaboration with Hay
By Bruno Rey
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
Based on the original Rey Collection designed by Swiss designer Bruno Rey in 1971, HAY has teamed up with Dietiker to relaunch the Rey Chair. With its distinctively rounded edges and curved backrest, it was the first chair to be patented with Dietiker’s unique screwless wood-to-metal connection and has become one of the most successful Swiss chairs of all time. Its solid construction, strength and stackable design give it a timeless quality that makes it suitable for using in a wide variety of domestic, public or corporate settings. The iconic chair...
Beech, Plywood
Alvor Chair Designed by Daciano da Costa
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
The Alvor Chair, designed by Daciano da Costa in 1966, is a notable piece in Portuguese design history. Originally created for the Hotel Alvor Praia in the Algarve, the chair reflect...
Oak
Arts & Crafts chairs from Aveyron
By Jean Touret
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Chairs in massif wood made by anonymous carpenter from the French countryside Aveyron, 1960.
Wood
Echo Chair Designed by Jane Worthington
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Minimal but expressive, ECHO captures the moment where silence becomes shape — a reflection of balance, restraint, and timeless design. A steel structure grounds the design in streng...
Aluminum
$6,600 / item
H 31 in W 29.75 in D 36.25 in
Umber Rocker Modern Low Rocking Chair in Walnut with Crafted Arm Detail
By Tréology
Located in Papanui, Christchurch
The Umber Rocker is the Rocking chair version of our iconic Umber Chair. The Umber Rocker is a comfortable modern walnut rocking armchair with a crafted arm detail. Designed to sit comfortably in its own space, the Umber Rocker offers a low, laid-back sitting position for relaxed enjoyment. Perfect as a wooden easy chair...
Walnut