Clive Jacobson was born in South Africa and graduated from the Johannesburg College of Art in 1976, He moved to Manhattan in 1984, where he continued his career as a graphic designer, winning most of the awards the industry offers.

In 2006 Clive began painting in oils and acrylics, fusing a combination of portraiture and landscape from life and photography. Clive lives and works in Manhattan, and often teaches typography, drawing and conceptualization at NYU. Clive's latest and first book together with fellow artist Robin Joy was just selected to be sold at MOMA in Manhattan (Sept 2011).