Talented designers and graphic artists are being called to unleash their ability in a new competition.

The contest has been launched by Chester and Wrexham-based chartered accountants and business advisors Ellis & Co, which is seeking a new corporate logo and has put a £1,000 prize up for grabs.

Robert Ellis, the firm’s founder, said: “Our current logo has served us well for the past 15 years or so, but we have recently expanded our offering significantly to incorporate a wide field of business advisory services.

“With this in mind we want a new corporate identity which reflects our modern approach with retention of our traditional values.”

Launched this week, the competition is open to all student designers and graphic artists, as well as freelancers and small design businesses (up to three employees) in the firm’s catchment area, which covers Cheshire and North East Wales.

Entrants will be asked to produce one or more outline concepts (up to a maximum of three concepts are acceptable from each entrant). The closing date for entries is October 31, after which judges will select a shortlist of five who will each be asked to present their ideas to the judging panel and discuss the thinking behind the design.

The winner will be announced shortly after all presentations have been made.

Roy Meredith, Ellis & Co’s business development manager, said: “We have decided to hold a competition because we want to give small businesses and budding designers the chance to be both noticed and rewarded for their creativity.”

Design departments of both Glyndwr and Chester Universities have already confirmed that they are integrating the competition with their design course and will enter a number of students.

The judging panel includes Robert Ellis, Roy Meredith, Colin Brew, general manager of West Cheshire and North Wales Chamber of Commerce, and Valerie Cordell a long-standing client of the firm.

He said: “I think what Ellis & Co is doing is commendable. This is a really fresh approach and a great way of helping up-and-coming designers and small businesses showcase their talent, gain a much needed taste of commercial work in a competitive environment and gain publicity for their skills.

“I’m also confident that the firm will be well rewarded for the initiative through the diverse creativity this will uncover. We are all eagerly awaiting the results.”

For more information on the competition and how to enter, contact Roy Meredith at Ellis & Co by email: RoyMeredith@ellis-uk.com.