Paisley will welcome the biggest names in Scottish music this week who will take home a piece of the town’s famous pattern created by a local designer.

Lisa Crockard with the SAY Award and some items from her collection

The Scottish Album of the Year Award will take place on Wednesday 28 June at Paisley Town Hall where the winning artist will receive a £20,000 cash prize provided by Creative Scotland. The event is taking place in the town in support of Paisley’s bid to become UK City of Culture 2021.

Each of the ten shortlisted acts, which include big names like Mogwai, Sacred Paws, Honeyblood and Ela Orleans, will be presented with a distinctive 3D printed creation designed by Lisa Crockard as part of the SAY Design Commission.

Lisa, a textiles graduate of Glasgow School of Art took a detour on the path to her design career, having worked as a menswear fashion buyer in London for big names like Selfridges and Harvey Nichols for more than 16 years. Lisa decided it was time for a change and moved back home to Paisley to pursue her real passion – jewellery design.

“I really enjoyed my job in London but it was something I kind of fell into – I always thought I’d go back to design at some point. When I came home I enrolled in a jewellery design course at the City of Glasgow College which I completed last year,” she said.

“I was really interested in the idea of using modern technology like 3D printing to create bespoke designs and I use it in a lot of my work.”

Lisa has been working with Renfrewshire Council’s InCube business incubator scheme which provides funding and support to creative businesses. Her jewellery designs are currently on sale at the InCube shop in Gilmour Street, Paisley.

Lisa continued: “The support I’ve had from InCube has been fantastic. It’s given me access to business experts which has been invaluable as well as providing office space and advice. It’s also a great place to network with similar businesses. I really don’t think I’d be as far along with setting up my business without the help I’ve had from InCube.”

Lisa was selected for the SAY commission after entering a competition by the organisers of the SAY Award, Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA).

She said: “When I made the decision to enter I really didn’t think I’d win because there were so many great ideas. I really love live music so I’m really excited that my design was chosen as a commission by SAY.

“The design brief was to create something that connects Scottish music, art and design and captures the spirit of the SAY Award. I decided to design a 3D printed award for the 10 shortlisted acts with a reason to celebrate Scottish music etched on each Paisley pattern motif.  Also, as the awards are being held in Paisley I was keen to highlight the town’s cultural heritage using modern technologies.”

Robert Kilpatrick, Projects and Operations Manager Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), said: “We received a number of applications for the SAY Design Commission, and were completely blown away by Lisa’s work, the bespoke award truly encompasses the spirit and characteristics of the town, in which we are so thankful to be supported by.”

The SAY Award is produced by the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), in partnership with Renfrewshire Council, Paisley for UK City of Culture 2021, Creative Scotland, Black Bottle, TicketWeb and PPL. The most prestigious music prize in Scotland, the winner receives £20,000, equal in prize terms to the Mercury Music Prize. Previous SAY Award winners include Anna Meredith (2016), Kathryn Joseph (2015), Young Fathers (2014), RM Hubbert (2013) and Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat (2012). Visit www.sayaward.com for more info.

You can also view more of Lisa Crockard’s work by visiting www.lisacrockard.com.

The production costs for making the awards were supported by Incube. The business incubator is currently inviting applications for their next programme to find out more visit:  https://incube.ren/.