The first Creative Seed Initiative lecture series co-sponsored by BFG Communications and Savannah College of Art and Design was a big success last night.

SCAD’s Arnold Hall was packed to the brim with people who came out to hear poster designers Dan Ibarra and Mike Byzewski from Aesthetic Apparatus give the kind of presentation one would expect from two very creative guys.

For over an hour the two kept the crowd thoroughly entertained as they went through a slide presentation that not only showed off their poster work, but also their various workshops over the years and a very funny video of the two actually making a poster. They also showed off their love of twisted animated gifs, which they collect and placed on each slide, which always induced a reaction. The guys spoke of their rise from a dingy, smelly basement printing rock posters for free, to the full service print and art shop that sees their work in high demand from bands, brands and collectors worldwide.

Consistently witty and self-deprecating, the duo poked fun at themselves at every opportunity as they spoke of how they are able to tap their creative process and stay fresh in their artistic outlook. They also talked at length about being true to the original vision of Aesthetic Apparatus, which has kept them on the good foot for ten years now and seems to be working well. By staying true to this original vision they allow themselves to pick the jobs they do, not based on how much money the job will bring in (which they point out is a surefire way of inducing a splitting headache if money is the only real inducement), but on how the job appeals to less tangible, but very important criteria like creative freedom.

Earlier in the day Dan and Mike spoke at BFG’s main office and to students at SCAD.

For more photos from the Creative Seed Initiative, check out BFG’s Flickr stream. Stay tuned for more Creative Seed Initiative events.