Renowned Danish designer Timothy Jacob Jensen has announced his relocation to Guangdong, China, marking what he describes as a new chapter in his decades-long engagement with the country’s evolving creative and industrial landscape..
Jensen, the son of iconic Bang & Olufsen designer Jacob Jensen and former chief designer of Jacob Jensen Design, is known for his work with brands such as Gaggenau, Vertu, and Steinway & Sons. Over the years, he has built a substantial profile in China, having previously lived in both Shanghai and Bangkok, and served as Visiting Professor at Fudan University since 2012.
His move to Guangdong, a core area of the Greater Bay Area development zone, aligns with China’s ambition to become a global center for design and innovation. According to a press release from the designer’s studio, the relocation is also a strategic step to strengthen collaboration with Chinese brands and institutions. He will continue to serve as Associate Chief Designer for Hauswirt, a fast-growing Chinese kitchen appliance brand based in Foshan, and maintain an office at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts through the DeTao Group.
Timothy Jacob Jensen’s design studio has emphasized a philosophy it calls “Design for Life,” combining aesthetics and functionality with a belief in fair pay, team collaboration, and cultural empathy. The studio shares royalties and credit with its network of over 100 associates worldwide, and Jensen will continue to lead its global activities, while his brother Troels Jacob Jensen takes over responsibility for operations in Europe.
Though often described in promotional materials as a “design king” – a title partly inspired by the resemblance between his TJJ monogram and the Chinese character for “king” (王) – Jensen’s career also includes moments of challenge. A family business once faced a hostile takeover, according to the release, and the designer is no stranger to navigating the volatile intersections of commerce, creativity, and family legacy.
Now in his sixties and with his two daughters grown, Jensen says the move to Asia is a return to familiar ground. Both daughters have previously contributed to studio projects – notably a line of watches presented as diplomatic gifts to the Obama family during a presidential visit to Denmark.
In 2017, Jensen was named Designer of the Year in China. His works are included in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and he has received more than 100 international design awards. He currently chairs a global advisory board that includes Danish and international figures such as former UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft and Pandora founder Per Enevoldsen.
With China placing increasing emphasis on design, branding, and cultural exports, Jensen’s continued involvement reflects a growing Danish presence in Asia’s design landscape – albeit one that is evolving from its traditional Nordic base into a broader, more collaborative global network.
