STAINES, UNITED KINGDOM--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 30, 2008 -- On Thursday 25th September, Konica Minolta announced the winner of its new annual graphic design competition 'Get Yourself Noticed', in association with Marketing Week, Computer Arts and Computer Arts Projects. Konica Minolta - the number one printers for the creative industry, have been on a quest to search for hidden graphic design talent. With Konica Minolta using tomorrow's technology today in the manufacturing of their printers, the brief was to predict the future of graphic design in any printable way.

During the evening the finalists of the competition had the opportunity to meet and discuss their designs with various media experts, including Marketing Week, Design Week, Grafik magazine, Computer Arts Projects and Computer Arts.

One man was certainly smiling by the end of the day - Martyn Mills from Manchester was announced as the winner of the 2008 "Get Yourself Noticed" Graphic Design competition. Martin fulfilled the brief amazingly with his work titled 'Roots of Emotion'. His work demonstrated a clear relationship to the brief of predicting the future of graphic design through his style of a 'starvinartist'. His work can be viewed on the following website; www.starvinartist.co.uk.

Yulia Brodskaya, was announced Runner-up of the competition with her work titled 'London', her work is shown on the following website; www.artyulia.com.

The winning entry will be showcased on two billboards in Shoreditch High Street and High Street Kensington, London, week beginning 6th October for two weeks and will be seen by millions of people. The winning designer will also be launched into the press week commencing 29th September 2008.

Harminder Ramanay, Konica Minolta's Head of Marketing - IT Channel comments; "The Get Yourself Noticed competition has proved to be a great success as we had many entries not only from the UK but also from Internationals. We will continue on from this success by conducting this competition on an annual basis to enable future up and coming artists to have the opportunity to have their work seen by the top influential industry experts".

In addition to the stars on the night, Phil Linnell, who designed Konica Minolta's microsite, www.mastersofcolour.com has recently been nominated for an award by cssmania.com for his design of the website. This microsite enables viewers to click through easily into the 'Where To Buy' section, enabling re-sellers to gain more coverage and inadvertently an increase in sales. For the prospective consumers, the microsite is a user-friendly portal for finding out all they need to know about Konica Minolta's printers.

Notes to Editors:

About Konica Minolta Business Solutions:

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd markets business machines manufactured by Konica Minolta Business Technologies Inc. UK turnover for Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd is in excess of Pounds Sterling 150 million.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies generated net sales of over Pounds Sterling 3.15 billion in FY2006. Globally Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. has a turnover Pounds Sterling 5.07 billion. Building on its strong core of optical technologies developed over many years, Konica Minolta Business Technologies aims to be a corporation offering products and services that are essential to all areas of digital imaging.

Terms and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

     Contacts:
     Konica Minolta Business Solutions
     Harminder Ramanay
     Head of Marketing - IT Channel
     01784 442255
     Email: harminder.ramanay@konicaminolta.co.uk