Girinath Gopinath is an Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Kannur, with expertise in textile and jewellery design, product design, craft development, illustration, and design education. He brings experience across academia, industry, and creative practice, with a focus on material exploration, Indian craft, visual language, and contemporary design. After working in the jewellery industry and establishing his design brand, Ingots, he joined NIFT as an Assistant Professor in Bengaluru in 2009 and subsequently moved to NIFT Kannur.

His research and creative interests include form generation, sculptural exploration, jewellery and product design, innovative material combinations, Indian craft, illustration, and visual storytelling. His practice engages with traditional crafts and explores their possibilities within contemporary design. He is an empanelled designer with the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India, and contributes to the interface between design education, craft communities, and industry.

Girinath mentors students and engages with craft communities through workshops and outreach. He has coordinated around six USTTAD workshops, including programmes focused on Bidriware and Beypore Uru craft, facilitating interactions between design education, traditional craftsmanship, and contemporary design practice. His continuing interests in drawing, illustration, Indian craft, and storytelling inform his approach to design education and creative practice.