We worked together at an advertising agency more than 20 years ago and our first meeting was when Jacky handed me a job bag and said 'this is urgent'. I started Bounce in February 2003 because I had gotten a bit stale where I was and I wanted to enjoy working again. I wanted to work directly with clients and help businesses.

What are your roles?

First and foremost I am a graphic designer so most of my time is spent designing and finding solutions to a client's need. Each job is unique and brings with it its own challenges, so I am fortunate to have an experienced team to collaborate with. Jacky looks after our clients and also manages the traffic in the studio. She's a people person and loves to have a chat.

What was the graphic design "scene" like in Newcastle at the time?

The design scene back then was predominantly full-service agencies and nearly everything we created was printed-based. The other mediums were TV and radio which designers rarely got involved with.

You have been in business now 17 years. What have the main changes in the industry in that time?

Technology and the shift to the digital space and the death of the mighty bromide.

What have been the main challenges for your business in moving with the times and technology?

While technology has increased the resources we have at our finger tips and helped streamlined workflow, this in turn has raised expectations for quicker turn around. It's a double-edge sword because creativity needs time and thought. Due to this technology changing on a daily basis we need to keep up.

You focus only on graphic design, rather than social media and other creative add-ons. Why?

We design for all mediums, whether it be for print or digital. We don't pretend to be something we are not. When needed, we partner with specialists in different niche areas such as copywriters, video production and social media strategists. We are not a jack-of-all-trades and like to focus on what we are good at, which is design.

Where are your clients and what per centage is corporate Vs small business?

Our clients are local and national. We have a good mix of clients anything from start-ups to corporate, government, development, health, education and many more.

What is at the core of successful graphic design?

Balance and consistency is the key. Creating too much noise in a design can ruin it, especially nowadays when we are overloaded on content.

What to you is poor graphic design?

Inconsistency. For example, when a terrific logo has been implemented poorly or you can tell the original concept has been changed because the next door neighbour's brother says he doesn't like orange. Trying to please everyone rarely happens.

How is business at present in the current subdued retail climate and what do you do when there are "slow periods"?

We have a diverse client base so if one industry slows down it doesn't affect us too much. If we get a chance, we spend time on our own stuff and learning.

Why are you supporting Screen Hunter's Real Film Festival this year?

We like to give back and support an organisation in our community, and this year we chose to work with the Real Film Festival as it's such a fantastic event that showcases the creative industry, but also a great opportunity for students to learn and experience the different facets of film. You never know the next Steven Spielberg might be from Newy.

Annette Hubber who is the manager at Screen Hunter is a great lady and we know the creative areas can do it hard sometimes, and it's often left to people to try and do it themselves in-house, so we felt this was a good thing to try and help.

The biggest misconception about graphic design?

Graphic design isn't a hobby... it's a profession. With social media nowadays when a company launches a new brand there is a lot of commentary around things like "Geez I could have done that" or "that must to taken 5 minutes. There is a lot of thought and time spent behind graphic design and we see ourselves as problem solvers. What we do is visual thinking.

And secret to staying in business 17 years?

Our people, quality of our design, and being open and honest with each other and our clients and suppliers. A lot of people want to be innovators and disrupters ... because they are the buzz words at the moment. We just get on with it and get the job done. What we care about is making our clients look good, not ourselves. We're not into awards and prestige, we just want to do the best job possible for our clients.