Who: Dan Ibarra and Michael Byzewski
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Website: Aesthetic Apparatus

If you’ve ever seen a book collection of rock posters, you’ve seen work by Aesthetic Apparatus. If you’ve ever opened up one of the design annuals and flipped through the Midwest or poster sections, you’re aware of how amazing their work is. And if you’ve gotten a paper crown at your local Burger King in the past few years, you’re wearing Aesthetic Apparatus. (Bonus: if you’ve ever wanted to learn to screenprint, see this.) These guys are everywhere, they are amazing, and they are well-decorated for it – Dan even got nominated for a Grammy, and though it was for a CD package design rather than his awesome drumming, it’s still nice to be nominated (or so I hear.)

I had the great fortune of working with Michael and Dan for a couple years at Planet Propaganda, back before they took their vow of poverty and started their own design shop. Funny and dedicated, passionate and hard-working, these guys have earned everything good that comes their way. It has been beyond amazing to watch their shop grow over the past 10 11 years, and I’m always proud to say “I know those guys!”