Digital sharpies and lens cloths at the ready: the Ubuntu 14.10 Wallpaper contest is now open for your entries.

No other desktop operating system gives amateur and professional illustrators, photographers and graphic designers the chance to have their artwork seen by millions of people around the world.

The best of the community submissions (selected by a panel made up of previous release winners) will ship as part of the stock Ubuntu 14.10 desktop, due for release in October, alongside a new default wallpaper.

The Ubuntu wallpaper competition is a traditional fixture in the Ubuntu development cycle and has run twice yearly since 2009 and the release of Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala.

Rules and Requirements

So what do you need to know to enter? If you’ve taken part before, not much. The rules and guidelines on submissions are largely the same as before. You’re still limited to two entries, should continue to avoid overt branding (illustrated Unicorns notwithstanding) and aim to impress.

You’ll also need a Yahoo! account as, upholding tradition, submissions are to be made through the Flickr photo sharing service.

Basic guidelines:

Keep it simple: don’t use too many colours, shapes, etc.

Use a single point of focus to draw the eye in

Remember to factor in the Unity interface elements

Design at a minimum resolution of 2560 x 1600

Deadline for all submissions is August 29, 2014 at 18:00 GMT. A panel comprising of the previous releases’ chosen artists will sift through entries to pick the best. The winning wallpapers will be revealed on September 9, 2014, ahead of the User Interface freeze for Utopic.

To take part (or browse entries made thus far) head on over to the 14.10 Flickr pool, linked to below.

Ubuntu 14.10 Wallpaper Submission Pool on Flickr

The Ubuntu GNOME wallpaper contest is also still accepting entries until next Friday, August 15. See the following article for more details on how to get involved.

Ubuntu GNOME 14.10 Wallpaper Contest Details

Finally, in need of inspiration? You can recap the previous community wallpaper selections by hitting the link below.

Ubuntu Community Wallpaper Winners since 10.04 LTS