Johnson rejected the symmetry of the Palladian style. He preferred fluid, asymmetrical forms that featured carved animals, ruins, and Chinese pagodas. His drawings for wall lights and mirror frames show a preference for wild, natural elements. He often included dogs, monkeys, and birds in his woodcarvings. These figures were not just decoration. They added a sense of movement to static objects. His work is defined by its energy and the physical complexity of the carving process.

Modern collectors value Johnson for his eccentric and imaginative drawings. His prints provide a view into the mid-eighteenth-century obsession with the exotic. These sketches work well in contemporary spaces because they offer a contrast to minimalist furniture. They represent a period when British design was becoming more daring. Owners of these prints appreciate the historical context of a designer who balanced political conviction with a decorative aesthetic.