Duration: We started Turnstyle in 2004.

Staff: In addition to the three founders—Matt Diefenbach, Ben Graham and Steve Watson—we have four designers, two project managers and one operations manager.

Education: Matt Diefenbach, business director, has a BA in psychology and French from Seattle University; Ben Graham, co-creative director, has a BFA in visual communications from University of Washington; and Steve Watson, co-creative director, has a BFA in graphic design from Brigham Young University.

Cultural Influences: Design traditions of Europe, New York and Hong Kong, manga, vintage toy packaging, Indian textiles, high fashion, album covers, architecture, modern furniture and particle physics, to name a few.

Environment: A big, open loft in an old triangular brick building within Seattle's historic Ballard neighborhood.

Philosophy: In the words of French poet Jean Cocteau, "Style is a simple way of saying complex things." We think of style as the considered application of aesthetics to communicate ideas. Its inevitable application in the design process resonates and inspires audiences on a visceral level. But, when all else fails, we resort to potty humor.