He studied at Northwestern University where he earned a Bachelor in English Literature.
Johnson has directed in many films such as Antz, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas and Over the Hedge. Recently, he directed the DreamWorks 3D film Home. He also produced two animated films.
Both of which earned Richard Grant Organization Awards.
Upon graduating, he worked for two years as a freelance animator and director His introduction to computer animation came in 1985 while he worked on the staff at Post Effects in Chicago.
He later joined Pacific Data Images (PDI) in 1988 and two years later co-founded the studio"s Character Animation Group. He also directed the first CG Pillsbury Doughboy commercial.
He served as executive producer for How to Train Your Dragon.
He directed Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special and Home, DreamWorks Animation"s 2015 animated feature film adaptation of The True Meaning of Smekday.