Yesterday Microsoft announced 46 new designs to use with the recently updated Zune Original site. Now designs come in three lines, Artist, Zodiac, and Tatoo lines. The new art comes from artists from all around the world.

From the press release:

Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, today added 46 new designs from leading artists to its customization Web site, http://www.ZuneOriginals.net, for the holiday season. For those looking to customize a Zune player for themselves or as a personalized gift this holiday season, the new Zune Originals designs include a Zodiac Series featuring exclusive artwork of Eastern and Western astrology from Catalina Estrada and Iosefatu Sua. An expanded line of regular Zune players, popular Zune accessories and Zune Marketplace gift cards are also available for purchase through http://www.Zune.net just in time for the holidays.

One other interesting thing of note was a comment made by one of the contributing artists Catalina Estrada, a Colombian artist best known for her use of symmetrical patterns and vibrant colors.

“Zune encouraged me to create designs for the Zodiac Series according to my own artistic interpretation of the signs. It’s wonderful to work with a partner that supports self-expression, whether or not it’s through a conventional art form,” Estrada said. “Between my work and that of the other truly talented artists available in the Zune Originals collection, Zune users can create a player that is unique and meaningful to them.”

New Daniel Jackson original art

Upon further inspection, some of our more observant members, JohnnyWest spotted a little preview dug up from the recently released press images of an unreleased color for the hard drive line of the Zune family.  Here’s a little more evidence that a blue hard drive based Zune is coming.

For a further look at all the pictures, and a chance to check out all the new designs, take a look at the new Zune originals site.