Hoffmann Johansen studied at the School of Arts and Crafts in Bergen, Norway, and at the Kunstgewerbe Schule in Munich, Germany. He began his career working for Tandbergs Radiofabrikk, before joining Norum in 1947.
Hoffmann Johansen's style was characterized by simple, uncluttered forms and the use of modern materials such as plastic and aluminum. His designs were both functional and aesthetic, and were highly influential in the development of industrial design in Norway.
Hoffmann Johansen received numerous awards for his work, including the Norwegian Industrial Design Prize in 1961 and the Gold Medal from the British Royal Institute of Architects in 1962. Today, his designs are considered classics of Scandinavian design.