FORMER York College students Mike Danford, 38, and Phil Shackleton, 28, who formed their own digital design company, Mixd, have returned to where they learned the principles of their trade to help other budding young entrepreneurs.

The two men have been offering their time and experience free to second and third-year students on the college's BA (hons) graphic design programme.

Over the past six months, the pair at Mixd, which is based in Northallerton, have been working as creative consultants to the course.

Mixd has held monthly sessions with the students to help with various aspects of their curriculum, including brand creation, promotion and interactive design for the web.

Alan Preston, York College programme leader, said: "Working with Mixd has been of immense value to our students and their initial presentation at the start of the course was fantastic.

"One of our key aims on the graphic design programme is to offer practical experience with design experts from industry, so Mike and Phil's regular input has been an invaluable insight for the students into the realities of working professionally as graphic designers."

Phil said: "When we first met some of the students at last year's end-of- year show, Mike and I started to think how we could give something back to the college, which was an important step in both our careers.

"It has been good fun and also an inspirational process to work with people who are likely to be the up-and- coming designers of tomorrow."

Phil completed his studies at York College in 1998 and Mike in 1988. The pair are now respected design professionals with a particular specialism in new media, and set up Mixd as their own joint venture in 2004, having worked together for a number of years at a Leeds marketing agency.

After 18 months in business, Mixd has achieved a turnover of £200,000 and has built up a strong client portfolio, which includes Travelodge, North York Moors Tourist Board, Leeds City Council and Travelodge, plus a number of specialist travel and leisure companies.

Updated: 10:06 Monday, April 24, 2006