Widely considered the greatest colorist and textile designer of modern time, Girard used traditional folk art to infuse color, whimsy, and humor into vibrant modern design. He was able to capture the essence of Latin America while still creating designs that were fresh and contemporary, finding the perfect balance of high and low art forms. In 2004, Girard was the subject of a major retrospective at the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum, confirming his place in the pantheon of great mid-century designers.