Home → Cataloging in NC Cardinal → Appendices → Appendix H: Commonly Used Relationship Designators
Last Updated 03/17/2025
artist: An agent responsible for creating a work by conceiving, and often implementing, an original graphic design, drawing, painting, etc.
author: An agent responsible for creating a work that is primarily textual in content, regardless of media type or genre.
cartographer: An agent responsible for creating a map, atlas, globe, or other cartographic work.
compiler: An agent responsible for creating a new work such as a bibliography or a directory by selecting, arranging, aggregating, and editing data, information, etc. Revising or clarifying the content, or selecting and putting together works or parts of work, by one or more creators is excluded.
composer: An agent responsible for creating a musical work.
filmmaker: An agent responsible for creating an independent or personal film.
A filmmaker is individually responsible for the conception and execution of all aspects of the film.
photographer: An agent responsible for creating a photographic work.
director: An agent responsible for the general management and supervision of a filmed performance, a radio or television program, etc.
issuing body: An agent issuing a work, such as an official organ of the body.
producer: An agent responsible for most of the business aspects of a production for screen, sound recording, television, webcast, etc. The producer is generally responsible for fund raising, managing the production, hiring key personnel, arranging for distributors, etc.
abridger: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by shortening or condensing an original work but leaving the nature and content substantially unchanged.
actor: A performer contributing to an expression of a work by acting as a cast member or player in a musical or dramatic presentation, etc.
editor: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by revising or clarifying the content, or by selecting and putting together works, or parts of works, by one or more creators.
Addition of an introduction, notes, or other critical matter, or preparing an expression of a work for production, publication, or distribution is included. Major revision, adaptation, etc., that substantially changes the nature and content of the original work, resulting in a new work, is excluded.
illustrator: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by supplementing the primary content with drawings, diagrams, photographs, etc. Creation of content that is primarily artistic is excluded.
narrator: A performer contributing to an expression of a work by reading or speaking in order to give an account of an act, occurrence, course of events, etc.
performer: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by performing music, acting, dancing, speaking, etc., often in a musical or dramatic presentation, etc.
translator: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by expressing the linguistic content of the work in a language different from that of previous expressions of the original work.
Translation of linguistic content between forms of the same language from different time periods is included.
writer of supplementary textual content: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing supplementary textual content, such as an introduction or a preface, to an original work.
writer of added commentary: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing an interpretation or critical explanation of an original work.
writer of added text: An agent contributing to an expression of a primarily non-textual work by providing text, such as writing captions for photographs or descriptions of maps.
writer of afterword: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing an afterword to an original work.
writer of foreword: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing a foreword to an original work.
writer of introduction: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing an introduction to an original work.
writer of postface: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing a postface to an original work.
writer of preface: An agent contributing to an expression of a work by providing a preface to an original work.
based on (work): A work used as the source for a derivative work.
adaptation of (work): A work that has been modified for a purpose, use, or medium other than that for which it was originally intended. This relationship applies to changes in form or to works completely rewritten in the same form.
remake of (work): A work used as the basis for a new motion picture, radio program, television program, or video.
container of (work): A work that is a discrete component of a larger work.
index to (work): A work used as the basis for an index, i.e., a systematic, alphabetical guide to the contents of the predominant work, usually keyed to page numbers or other reference codes.
supplement to (work): A work that is updated or otherwise complemented by the augmenting work.
preceded by (work): A work that precedes, that is, is earlier in time or before in a narrative, etc., the succeeding work.
succeeded by (work): A work that succeeds, that is, is later in time or after in a narrative, etc., the preceding work.
equivalent (manifestation): A manifestation that embodies the same expression of a work.
also issued as: A manifestation that embodies the same expression of a work in a different format.
reproduction of (manifestation): A manifestation that is used as the basis for a reproduction.
For more information about additional RDA relationship designators, you may consult this document and/or contact Cataloging Committee members if you have questions.