Full Sail graduate Jayson Whitmore recently returned to campus for the first time since founding Royale, a Los Angeles-based motion graphics company. Jayson and Royale co-founder Brien Holman hosted a unique lecture for students about their experiences, including the start-up of the company, the ins and outs of working with clients, and other aspects of being successful in the digital design industry.

“Using the foundations we had built throughout our careers, we decided to jump ship from the companies we were working for and do it ourselves,” Jayson explained to the students gathered in Full Sail Live. “And I think we’ve done some pretty amazing work together!”

Royale specializes in cutting-edge motion graphics and the company is involved in multiple areas of the entertainment industry. Since launching in mid-2007, Jayson, Brien and fellow partner Jennifer Lucero have attracted an impressive collection of clients.

As the two told Fullsail.com after the event, their company’s work for the likes of Comedy Central, Diesel and Flaunt magazine was built on a mutual trust between Royale and their clients.

"Flaunt and Diesel gave us full support to speak to their brands and still make the project our own," Jayson said. "Working with branded entertainment gave us the freedom to make a relevant piece for Flaunt and Diesel while showing our own capabilities. We were also able to collaborate with some amazing people that helped this project stand out and give our new company a creative voice."

"Using the pages of Flaunt as the medium, we used torn pages to create a world that the Diesel models live in," said Brien. "Also, knowing the potential for still images to look out of place, we came up with a stylistic solution of mixing stop motion with 2D and 3D animation to help the static images feel more integrated into the world. When all of it blends to the point where you can't discern the technique you know it's working."

Jayson and Brien also explained to the students about the creative process behind some of the eye-popping ads they’ve created, showing off their storyboards, rough edits, and original concept videos. But the creativity at Royale extends beyond the work they produce; the company’s work environment mirrors a similarly refreshing approach. Having worked with numerous firms throughout their career, Jayson and Brien put a lot of thought into creating a workplace that is dedicated to supporting the creativity of its artists.

“When you run a business you can’t always be the artist and the entrepreneur! You just don’t have enough time,” Jayson said. “Because of that we spend our profit within our company to make sure that you as an artist are taken care of, because that makes our creative process better, and makes our lives easier. The better you are, the better we are. So we really respect anybody who comes and works for us, because you’re working with us, not for us.”

Jayson Whitmore has worn a number of different hats on his journey to Royale, and his new role as business owner has seen him channel his experiences to create the kind of company he’s always dreamed of working for. Thinking back on how far they’ve come since their own days in school, he and Brien wrapped up their lecture by reassuring students that there’s a whole world of opportunities waiting for them in the digital arts – maybe even at Royale.

“The only difference between us and you guys is 7 to 10 years of experience – that’s all,” Brien offered. “You know all the software and hardware, and If you believe in yourself, you’ll do it.”

“I hope that every single one of you goes out there and rocks it,” Jayson followed. “And hopefully some of you will say hello to us too, because we’d love to have you! Brien and I are just the spark, the rest of what we do comes from everyone else who becomes a part of our family.”