He studied graphic design at the IVKNO in Amsterdam (1950–53). Among others he worked for the Stedelijk van Abbemuseum Eindhoven, the Dutch Ministries of Culture and Public Works, the Dutch PTT, Rosbeek Printers and 010 Publishers. Jan van Toorn’s radical teaching and practice were highly influential on the younger generation of Dutch designers. For many years he taught visual communication at various academies and universities in the Netherlands and abroad, including the Gerrit Rietveld Academy (1968–85), the Eindhoven Technical University (1982–83) and the State Academy of Fine Arts, Amsterdam (1987–89). From 1991–98 he was director of the Jan van Eyck Academy in Maastricht, a postgraduate centre for fine art, design and theory. Since 1989 he has been associate professor in the MA programme of RISD, Providence. He has received the Werkman prize from the city of Amsterdam (1965 and 1972); the Piet Zwart prize (1985); and the Athena award for career excellence.