The Story of Jemuel Romeo
Born August 14th 1993, the story of Jemuel begins in Rich Plain Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago. At the time, a quiet rural community situated in west Trinidad. As the eldest of four, life was simple and family was at the centre of his universe. As a boy, starting from humble beginnings, full of creative wonder he would often turn to nature for entertainment and solace to explore the outdoors. Jemuel’s love for animals, nature and everything in between lead to a genuine interest in the symbiotic relationship between design and nature. The arrangement of scales on a gecko, or the shapes of the leaves ‘what was’ left behind by resident bachacks (leaf cutter ants) all continued to shape his creative mind.
A pivotal moment in life, at the age of 10, Jemuel recalls being asked by a beloved school teacher what he would want to be when he grows up. He explained his love for animals and insects and shared that he would one day hope to become a zoologist. He also however expressed his love for drawing and the arts and hoped that one day he would be able to combine the both. His teacher laid the facts down: being a zoologist is nice but questioned whether it would help him achieve his goals of a better life. She suggested that he follow a career that he was passionate about. Considering that he loved art, Ms. Hamilton suggested that he become a graphic artist which would allow him to pursue his career in art but it would also make him a lot of money. Jemuel often stated that it was at that moment his decision was made - also that it was the first time that anyone had ever spoken to him about money in such a blunt and ‘real world’ way.
After graduating St. Anthony’s College at the tender age of 15, Jem, as he’s fondly called by many, worked in the construction field under his uncle along with his cousins to purchase a laptop to begin his career in graphic design. While doing so he picked up the sport of field hockey and even went on to play Trinidad and Tobago’s under 21 team. He made the tough decision to leave the sport on the cusp of advancing to the senior team with the intention of returning after he had developed his own business. He credited his success in hockey to his mother often stating that to this day he is still unsure of how she paid for everything while supporting the household and his other three siblings.
As time progressed, the self taught graphic designer grew and gained experience in the field, making a name for himself. Working for a wide range of entities, some of his biggest achievements include collaborations with UWI St Augustine, PSI Services, Sell Your Stuff, WAY UP Clothing, Blaxx, Kes, Machel Montano and many more. In the mix, he pursued an Associates degree in Graphic Design at COSTATT but to date remains unfinished.
Today, a seasoned graphic designer with at least 10 years under his belt, Jemuel continues to work with many clientele and has also branched off into woodworking. When he’s not behind the computer or a table saw, he can be found tending to his dragon fruit and sweet potatoes in the garden. His headspace is always full of ideas and he consistently seeks new ways to create!
Jemuel founded JCRZY Designs in January 2021 to further solidify himself in the realm of design locally and on an international stage.
Las Cuevas Beach, January 2021