This full-page magazine ad was prepared in a single day from start to finish, concept to completion.

The hierarchy goes like this: Want something done sooner than normal? That's a rush. Want it done right away? That's a rush rush. This ad for Sierra Audio was done as a "last-minute rush,"—immediately—the absolute rushiest of all rushes.

Photography? Ha! No time for that, or anything else. Racing the clock, I thought up the concept, wrote the copy, got it approved, designed the ad and prepared the production art. In a day.

I met this client, Kent Duncan, at his studio in Burbank, California—Kendun Recorders. And a most impressive experience it was. I was given an actual Cuban cigar when we met in the dazzling main room where, I was informed, Michael Jackson had been recording the day before. Sierra Audio was the studio building arm of the operation, carrying out designs by acclaimed studio designer Tom Hidley.

What: Concept, copy, design, art

For: “How To Recognize a Sierra Audio Studio” full page two-color ad

Client: Sierra Audio Corporation

When: c. 1980