Cruz Fonts

TYPE DESIGN INFORMATION PAGE last updated on Tue Oct 28 09:18:05 EDT 2025

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Cruz Fonts [Ray Cruz] Cruz Fonts was established in Oakland, NJ, in 2004 by Ray Cruz (Ramon Cruz), who was a designer of custom lettering and custom typefaces to major ad agencies, publishers and corporate clients in the New York City area for almost 30 years. Ray Cruz (b. Ponce, Puerto Rico, 1943) died at his home in Lewes, Delaware, in 2025. His obituary read: Ray Cruz, beloved husband, father, grandfather, celebrated graphic artist, and military veteran, died peacefully at his home in Lewes, Delaware, on March 26, 2025. He was 81. Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, on August 31, 1943, Ray was a lifelong student and teacher of design. A graduate of New York City's High School of Art & Design, he honed his craft in several of the city's top custom lettering studios before rising to prominence in the graphic arts world. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he left a lasting mark on advertising, publishing, package design, and corporate identity. In the 1980s, Ray was commissioned to create corporate typefaces and logos for the United States Postal Service—iconic designs still seen on mail trucks today. After co-founding and leading Cruz & Slowik Associates, Ray served as Type Director at the renowned Young & Rubicam advertising agency, his sharp typographic eye elevated countless national campaigns. His work earned him more than 30 awards from the Type Directors Club, AIGA, ADC, and other respected art associations. Ray was also a dedicated educator, serving as an adjunct professor at Parsons School of Design, FIT, Kean University's Robert Busch School of Design, County College of Morris, and Marywood College. He believed in a "Learn by Doing" approach, favoring hands-on exploration. His students remember him not only for his technical knowledge but for his passion, clarity, and mentorship. He was a member of several professional organizations including the Type Directors Club, Society of Typographic Aficionados (SoTA) and the Association Typographique Internationale (ATypI). Ray lived for two things: graphic arts and his family. He was also an active and energetic man who loved the gym, tennis, skiing, boating, fishing, music, and working with wood---pursuits that reflected his creativity, craftsmanship, and love for the outdoors. He is survived by his wife, Janet; his sons David and wife Jamie Lynn, Jamie and wife Hermilyn; and their sons, Daniel and wife Melany and Matthew and wife Marilyn. He is also survived by his grandchildren Avery, Hyland, Ardyn, Talyn, and Cornelia. He is reunited with two grandchildren, Reign and Parker, and his mother, Carmen, in peace. Cruz created many display typefaces for Agfa/Monotype, Bitstream, Phil's Fonts and Garage Fonts. Presently Ray Cruz is working as Type Director at Y&R NY, and is an adjunct professor at FIT and Kean University teaching type design. Bio at Garagefonts. His oeuvre: Garagefonts: Cruz Grafica (1999), Cruz Grafica Inline, Troubadour. Agfa/Monotype: Bandolera, Bandolero, Cruz Handy (2001) and Cruz Swinger. Swinger, in fact, was produced in film type for the John Schaedler Studio in New York in the 1970s. Also, Elegante, Romantica (didone). Bitstream: CruzCanteraBT (2003, a stylish informal sans family), Homeland BT (2004, a text typeface with a large x-height), Vera Cruz (2003, a playful display serif), and Fat Albert (2004). Cruz Fonts: Satchmo (2016), Cruz Handy (2004), Troubadour (2004), Cruz Stencil (2012), Cantina, Bandolero, Cruz Swinger (fat semi-psychedelic signage face), Bandolera, Romantica Pro (2013, a condensed didone), Dot Script (2013, dot matrix face), Cruz Script Pro (2013: original from 2005), Bouncing Checks Layers (2014, octagonal and layered; includes 40 dingbats by Seymour Chwast). P22: P22 Cruz Ballpoint, P22 Cruz Calligraphic, P22 Cruz Brush. BarracudaPlain. Custom typefaces for Camel Cigarettes, Estee Lauder (1994), New York Life Insurance, The NFL Detroit Lions, Pella Windows, USPS, and Xerox. Bio at Garagefonts. P22 link. FontShop link. PDF catalog. View Ray Cruz's typefaces. Klingspor link.	EXTERNAL LINKS Cruz Fonts [Buy fonts] [Designer info] Monotype link Monotype foundry link Klingspor Museum page MyFonts search Monotype search Fontspring search Google search INTERNAL LINKS Type designers ⦿ Type designers ⦿ Commercial fonts (small outfits) ⦿ Photo and film type era ⦿ Type scene in New Jersey ⦿ Type scene in New York ⦿ Stencil fonts ⦿ Modern style [Bodoni, Didot, Walbaum, Thorowgood, Computer Modern, etc.] ⦿ Brush script typefaces ⦿ Calligraphic typefaces ⦿ Corporate typefaces ⦿ Signage typefaces ⦿ Psychedelic types ⦿ Pixel/bitmap fonts ⦿ Octagonal typefaces ⦿ Multicolor typefaces ⦿ Dingbats (original) ⦿ Type design in Puerto Rico ⦿ Type scene in Delaware ⦿