Microsoft has launched a competition with Gorillaz to celebrate the Beta launch of the Windows Internet Explorer 9 browser.
Entrants are being invited to design a new character, known simply as “The Evangelist”. The winning submission will be redrawn by Gorillaz’ Jamie Hewlett, and the final creation will be revealed on 6th January 2011, on Gorillaz.com.
The winner will be credited on the competition page and will receive a Gorillaz “gift pack” including a signed, framed print of Jamie Hewlett’s final design of “The Evangelist”.
Internet Explorer 9 Beta was launched with the support of Gorillaz in September 2010. Since then, over 10 million people have downloaded the browser worldwide and are enjoying the visually rich web experiences on the Internet, as expertly explained by Murdoc at www.gorillaz.com/club-room/laptop.
These rich experiences include websites which have been specially created by household names, from Rough Guides to the BBC and Amazon to showcase the difference Internet Explorer 9 Beta can make. Microsoft is featuring this web content and that of its other launch partners on its specially designed microsite www.beautyoftheweb.co.uk.
Internet Explorer 9 Beta is designed to use the power of your computer’s hardware to radically improve your online experiences such as shopping, browsing, surfing, gaming, watching TV or streaming music.
At the same time, Internet Explorer 9 Beta reads special web design code enabling it to increase the speed, look and performance of websites by making colours, images and texture richer and deeper.
Gorillaz and the Microsoft team behind Internet Explorer 9 Beta are challenging fans to put their creativity to the test by submitting their drawing of “The Evangelist”*. A special design application to help budding artists create and submit ideas is available at www.gorillaz.com/evangelist .
The competition entry deadline is Sunday 28th November. All entries will be put to a public vote to shortlist the best entries for each week of the competition. Jamie Hewlett and Gorillaz’ design team will then judge the finalists from each week in order to pick a winner which will be announced on 6th January 2011 at www.Gorillaz.com .
David Law, Director of Internet Explorer in the UK added: “The feedback we’re getting since launch is fantastic. Internet Explorer 9 Beta is showing people all around the world why browsers really matter and the Gorillaz website is a perfect example of how the web is more beautiful with Internet Explorer 9 Beta.
“It behaves just like any other app you’re familiar with. It’s fast and it’s a browser people trust. We ‘re really looking forward to seeing what Gorillaz’s fans will come up with to bring the Evangelist to life through Internet Explorer 9 Beta.”
Internet Explorer 9 Beta requires Windows 7 or Windows Vista operating systems. For more information about the Internet Explorer 9 Beta, visit www.beautyoftheweb.co.uk.