Studied at the Paduas Pietro Selvatico State Art School, completing his training at the Venice University School of Architecture (IUAV), specialising in Architectural Design. Even whilst still studying, his flair for design allowed him to secure important collaborations with architectural and design studios, as well as allowing him to participate in projects in academia. Pinaffo took part in national and international ideas competitions (many of them publically advertised and published), also undertaking museum and exhibition projects.

Over the course of the years, Pinaffos projects have encompassed architecture, interior design and furnishing and graphic design. Since the mid-1990s, however, he has mainly worked as a freelancer in the area of industrial design. In time, Pinaffo developed a strong specialisation for office, community, business and home seating solutions, collaborating with leading organisations in the various sectors. His critical approach to solving technical problems results in original solutions that are often so innovative they become patented trademarks.

Pinaffo's work with its unerring pursuit of simplicity and meticulous attention to detail looks to achieve aesthetic and technical originality whilst maintaining a constant state of equilibrium between form, function and production requirements.