Circus - Fósforos del Pirineo (1968)
Year: 1968
Format: Matchbox
Illustrator: José María Cruz Novillo (b.1936)
Client: Fósforos del Pirineo
Details: These matchboxes were designed as part of a Circus-themed set for Fósforos del Pirineo. The designs are credited to design studio Cruz Novillo + Olmos - José María Cruz Novillo and Ferdinand Olmos. These illustrations were created by José María Cruz Novillo (b.1936).
José María Cruz Novillo is a Spanish sculptor, engraver, painter and designer born in Cuenca, Spain. He started studying law but left to work as a cartoonist for Publicidad Clarín in Madrid. He was selected as an artist for the Spanish Pavilion at the New York World's Fair in 1964.
Cruz Novillo started his own design studio in 1965, designing many logos including those for the Spanish post service, railways, Bank of Spain, Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) and police. His studio also created the identity of the Government of Spain.
In 1972, Cruz Novillo held an exhibition at the Skira gallery in Madrid. Since then, he has regularly exhibited his paintings, sculptures and engravings. He is an Honourary Member of the Spanish Association of Design Professionals (AEPD) and has served as its president.
Cruz Novillo founded the studio Cruz más Cruz with his son Pepe in 2007. The studio provides design and architecture services.