I totally forgot to write about this on Monday (and I’m sure most of you already know about this now). In conjunction with launching new Zune media players and a new website, Microsoft launched a new web store called “Zune Originals” located at http://www.zuneoriginals.net. Customers can go to Zune Originals and choose to purchase a customized Zune player directly from Microsoft. You’ll be able to choose from a collection of laser-engraved artwork designed exclusively for the Zune from 18 internationally recognized artists.

In total, there will be 27 different designs called the “Artist Series”. But wait, there’s more. You can also choose graphics from the “Tattoo Series” where there are 20 different graphic designs which can be laser engraved onto the Zune. Three lines of text can also be added to the Tattoo Series. Finally, customers can choose to engrave up to five lines of text in place of a design.

The overall process is fairly straight forward. Pick your new Zune (Zune 80, Zune 8 or Zune 4), pick a color, and then pick a design and any desired text.

Artists involved with the Zune Originals include Colletivo Studios, Catalina Estrada, Laurent Fetis, Sam Flores, Klaus Haapaniemi, Pierre Marie, Kenzo Minami, Parskid, Mike Perry, Phunk Studios, Chisato Shinya, Skwak, Iosefatu Sua, Tado, Nobumasa Takahashi, Ramiro Torres, Darvin Vida and Steve Wilson.

[Check it out via Microsoft Press]

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