DiMario McDowell - file

Dimario McDowell is a man who has claimed many firsts when it comes to graphic designing in Jamaica. Hence, it was no surprise when he named his company First Graphics Communications.

McDowell, who started out in 1981 when he designed a poster for the Tastee Talent Search, has come a far way since then. He said along his journey he has revolutionised the graphic designing industry in Jamaica. For example, he has laid claim to be the first person to put an entertainer on the cover of a Jamaican newspaper and also having a special design for newspaper covers while working with the now defunct Weekend Enquirer. He has also claimed premier position in entertainment poster designs.

While some may question the first two achievements, very few, if at all any, can question the way how he has revolutionised poster designs in Jamaica. He admits that while he was not the first to venture in designing poster, for entertainment events, he was the first to move away from the text heavy posters to using graphics.

Landmark poster

"People like Taco and Bagga Case were designing before me. Then there was the street influenced designers like Sassa Frass who were ahead of me. But it was at Gentle Printers that I honed my skill. I remember while I was there you had people like Mr. McFaulker who lost a hand while doing it," he said.

"While I was there you had Sassa Frass who would do the street posters but if you wanted a smoother look people would pay extra to come to me," he added.

McDowell's fame however came with Supreme Promotions who are the promoters of Sting - a one night reggae concert. He signed on as a director in 1984 and three years later introduced a landmark poster that changed how designing in Jamaica was done. He adds that what made the poster more revolutionary was the fact that it was done by hand.

"It was a colour poster with a snake with a fang and the work sting coming out of its mouth. I'm still looking for a copy of that poster and would like people with copies to take it in," he said.

McDowell said that back then posters were made using a tedious method of cutting and pasting text, as well as making a bromide for the pictures to get colour photos. As a result, The Sting Posters became souvenirs. He adds that the world of graphic designing has now changed as almost anyone can do graphics. He said he has now moved in project management and also done other things such as designing calendars. He won an award for Calendar of the year in 1999.

Outside of all this, he has still managed to be involved with Sting and credits Isaiah Laing as being instrumental in giving him a chance to gain recognition.

"I remember he took on myself and Biggie. I made posters and Biggie stitched clothes for Pinchers and later Shabba. If it weren't for him we wouldn't have been discovered," he said.

Outside of graphic designing he sings regularly and is extremely passionate about things Jamaica especially our music and our culture. He has even made a Reggae Boyz poster for which he gave away 10,000 copies before selling the rest. And, he has presented this poster to the president of the English Football Association and a member of the royal family.