Pino was self-taught. As a young man he started to do research and experiments in the realm of visual communication. He became a co-ordinator of the Nebbiolo design group, responsible for their promotions. From 1952 he worked as a graphic designer and teacher, first at the Castello and the
Scuola Umanitaria, later at the Scuola Politechnica di Design. He was a co-founder of the agency CNTP. His graphic design was always related to his research into communication and photography. He designed for Finmeccanica and the Region of Lombardy (logotype) with Bob Noorda, Roberto Sambonet and Bruno Munari. The Lombardy logo was awarded the Compasso d’Oro 1979. When Italy’s post-war industrialization took place, he worked for Pirelli, Fini, RAI and Alitalia. He was the founder and president of the Milan Art Directors Club, and a member of ADI from 1954. Tovaglia won many awards in design and advertising. He was a photographer, illustrator, type designer and concrete poet.