Understanding and overcoming collaboration challenges in audio branding projects
Beech, Harry (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214538
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052214538
Tiivistelmä
The process of creating branded audio assets requires close collaboration between audio professionals and brand stakeholders. However, discrepancies in how these two groups understand music and sound can lead to challenges that may derail the audio branding process. This thesis aims to examine the potential barriers to effective collaboration, as well as strategies for improving communication within the audio branding process.
Study for this thesis was conducted through in-depth interviews with four audio professionals, each at different stages in their careers. This interview data is complemented by a literature review that provides context on how audio is utilised in branding and the psychological effects of sound. Additionally, original research was conducted via a questionnaire that explores how both musicians and non-musicians perceive audio.
The findings highlight key challenges in creative collaboration, particularly those arising from client expectations. These include a terminology gap, miscommunication, and creative friction. Further, the thesis shows audio professionals often take on the roles of both educator and project manager during the process. The thesis concludes by proposing a collaborative framework that supports better communication and creative alignment between clients and audio professionals. In doing so, this thesis contributes new insights into the audio branding process, its challenges, and opportunities to refine current best practices within the industry.
Study for this thesis was conducted through in-depth interviews with four audio professionals, each at different stages in their careers. This interview data is complemented by a literature review that provides context on how audio is utilised in branding and the psychological effects of sound. Additionally, original research was conducted via a questionnaire that explores how both musicians and non-musicians perceive audio.
The findings highlight key challenges in creative collaboration, particularly those arising from client expectations. These include a terminology gap, miscommunication, and creative friction. Further, the thesis shows audio professionals often take on the roles of both educator and project manager during the process. The thesis concludes by proposing a collaborative framework that supports better communication and creative alignment between clients and audio professionals. In doing so, this thesis contributes new insights into the audio branding process, its challenges, and opportunities to refine current best practices within the industry.