Nissen was known for his work in furniture design, particularly for his molded plastic chairs and ergonomic seats. He also designed electronic products, such as telephones, calculators and printers.
As a teacher, Nissen influenced many industrial designers and encouraged an interdisciplinary approach to design, collaborating with engineers, psychologists and other professionals. He has also been active in promoting environmental sustainability in design.
Nissen has received numerous awards for his work in industrial design, including the National Industrial Design Award in 1985 and the University of Illinois Industrial Design Gold Medal in 1995. His work is exhibited in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Musée des Arts décoratifs in Montreal.