Farewell to José María Cruz Novillo, a master who inspired many graphic designers

There are deaths with which a part of your life closes an important chapter, because of the influence those people had on you.

EIn other cases, those people are footballers, bullfighters, famous singers... In my case, they are designers like Javier Mariscal and José María Cruz Novillo, people who set a trend in Spain for years, demonstrating that—contrary to what some believe—brand design is a true art. I write this because José María Cruz Novillo passed away today at the age of 89. His numerous logo designs have been a part of Spanish life for decades and can still be seen today in organizations, media outlets, and institutions of all kinds.

Cruz Novillo established a visual style characterized by geometry, functionality, and the ability to synthesize. Unlike many of today's brand designs, which quickly fade like the trends that influenced them, Cruz Novillo's designs were made to last, to be timeless, and not to rely excessively on color. In fact, the vast majority of them work perfectly in their monochromatic variations, something that is very fashionable today and in which Cruz Novillo was a pioneer.

Like many children of the 80s, I grew up seeing Cruz Novillo's designs. For many, they were mere symbols seen every day. For me, they were an incentive to move from artistic drawing—something I was very good at—to graphic design. Cruz Novillo's influence on Spanish design is enormous, and his inspiration encouraged many others to take that step. Today, we're left with the same feeling as when a singer whose songs you've listened to your whole life dies.

In 2007, José María Cruz Novillo founded the Cruz más Cruz studio with his son Pepe. Today, this company preserves the legacy of this great designer, whose works still grace the offices of the National Police, Cadena COPE radio, REPSOL, Correos, El Mundo, the Community of Madrid, and others. Spain has lost a great designer, but his work remains intact, paving the way for designers to come. Rest in peace.