[1] Born in Gentofte, Johansen attended the Copehangen Technical School where he met Poul Henningsen who became a friend and associate for the rest of his life.

Together with Karl Larsen and Axel Salto, Johansen and Lundstrøm settled in Bormes near Cannes, establishing the artistic group De Fire.

His stay in Bormes had brightened up his paintings, possibly under the influence of Henri Matisse and Auguste Renoir, depicting nude women and landscapes of the south of France.

He contributed sketches to Politikens Magasin and illustrated books by Pierre Louÿs, François Rabelais and Johan Herman Wessel.

[7] For productions of Maskarade, Bortførelsen fra Seraillet and Slaraffenland, he not only designed striking stage sets but also provided the costumes.