# Competences — sound designer

Source: ESCO v1.2.1 occupation-skill relations (http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/790c8dca-f624-4bdc-ac16-27bc13ead188).

## Essential

- **adapt existing designs to changed circumstances** (skill/competence)
- **adapt to artists' creative demands** (skill/competence)
- **analyse a script** (skill/competence)
- **analyse music score** (skill/competence)
- **analyse the artistic concept based on stage actions** (skill/competence)
- **analyse the scenography** (skill/competence)
- **attend rehearsals** (skill/competence)
- **coach staff for running the performance** (skill/competence)
- **communicate during show** (skill/competence)
- **conduct costume research** (skill/competence)
- **contextualise artistic work** (skill/competence)
- **coordinate audio system programmes** (skill/competence)
- **define artistic approach** (skill/competence)
- **develop an artistic framework** (skill/competence)
- **develop design concept** (skill/competence)
- **develop design ideas cooperatively** (skill/competence)
- **keep up with trends** (skill/competence)
- **meet deadlines** (skill/competence)
- **mix multi-track recordings** (skill/competence)
- **mix sound in a live situation** (skill/competence)
- **monitor developments in technology used for design** (skill/competence)
- **monitor sociological trends** (skill/competence)
- **operate an audio mixing console** (skill/competence)
- **operate sound live** (skill/competence)
- **perform quality control of design during a run** (skill/competence)
- **plan audiovisual recording** (skill/competence)
- **present artistic design proposals** (skill/competence)
- **prevent fire in a performance environment** (skill/competence)
- **program sound cues** (skill/competence)
- **propose improvements to artistic production** (skill/competence)
- **record multi-track sound** (skill/competence)
- **research new ideas** (skill/competence)
- **safeguard artistic quality of performance** (skill/competence)
- **understand artistic concepts** (skill/competence)
- **update design results during rehearsals** (skill/competence)
- **use audio reproduction software** (skill/competence)
- **use communication equipment** (skill/competence)
- **use specialised design software** (skill/competence)
- **use technical documentation** (skill/competence)
- **verify feasibility** (skill/competence)
- **work ergonomically** (skill/competence)
- **work safely with chemicals** (skill/competence)
- **work safely with mobile electrical systems under supervision** (skill/competence)
- **work with respect for own safety** (skill/competence)

## Optional

- adapt artistic plan to location (skill/competence)
- analyse the need for technical resources (skill/competence)
- calculate design costs (skill/competence)
- copyright legislation (knowledge)
- develop drama production process (skill/competence)
- develop professional network (skill/competence)
- document your own practice (skill/competence)
- draw up artistic production (skill/competence)
- ensure safety of mobile electrical systems (skill/competence)
- follow safety procedures when working at heights (skill/competence)
- keep personal administration (skill/competence)
- labour legislation (knowledge)
- lead a team (skill/competence)
- manage personal professional development (skill/competence)
- monitor mixing in a live situation (skill/competence)
- organise resources for artistic production (skill/competence)
- perform soundchecks (skill/competence)
- prospect new customers (skill/competence)
- provide technical documentation (skill/competence)
- read musical score (skill/competence)
- record music (skill/competence)
- set up a multi-track recording (skill/competence)
- set up basic recording (skill/competence)
- set up equipment in a timely manner (skill/competence)
- set up sound reinforcement system (skill/competence)
- technically design a sound system (skill/competence)
- translate artistic concepts to technical designs (skill/competence)
- tune up wireless audio systems (skill/competence)
- update budget (skill/competence)
- use personal protection equipment (skill/competence)
- work safely with machines (skill/competence)

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## Market evidence (job-ad analysis, 32 ads, as of 2026-07-19)

Share of analyzed job ads mentioning the item (threshold ≥ 20 %). Source: JSearch/Adzuna APIs.

### Hard skills

- sound design — **75 %**
- audio design — **22 %**
- technical sound system design — **22 %**
- sound effects library building — **19 %**
- sonic branding — **19 %**
- audio implementation — **19 %**
- audio mixing — **19 %**
- sound effects creation — **19 %**
- audio asset delivery — **19 %**

### Responsibilities

- audio asset design — **22 %**
- sound effects curation — **19 %**
- sound identity establishment — **19 %**

<!-- market-evidence -->