After attending the École des Beaux-Arts in Nancy and an apprenticeship with the sculptor Pierron, Joseph Mougin entered the studio of the sculptor Barrias at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1896. He was joined in 1898 by his brother Pierre, and together they began their career as ceramists. Their first attempts in Paris proved unsuccessful, so Joseph and Pierre Mougin returned to Nancy in 1906. Initially publishing their own designs, they then turned to other artists, including Victor Prouvé (who produced advertising cartons for them), Ernest Wittmann (1846-1921) and Alfred Finot, who supplied them with statuettes, vase designs and decorative objects.

After 1918, Joseph and Pierre Mougin continued their activities in Lunéville.

Although they were never members of the École de Nancy steering committee, Joseph and Pierre Mougin adhered to its aesthetic principles and attended its exhibitions.