Skype has created a contest allowing anyone who knows a little bit about CSS to manipulate Skype 5′s chat style into what they think is the best layout.

About the chat style:

The CSS file works in the same way that it would when creating a browser based website. The Skype Mac client uses the Webkit rendering engine. For accurate results, test your design using Apple’s Safari or Google’s Chrome.

Why are they having a contest to fix their latest Mac version of Skype 5? We answer that question with another, have you seen it? Skype has faced some backlash from the tech community who use Macs in their latest version because the ease of use in the previous version has vanished. So naturally instead of fixing it themselves, they’ll allow others to do it for them.

Skype has created a .zip file that contains the necessary .png images and code for anyone who wants to give it a shot.

The prizes are awarded in three different stages. Skype explains it best:

The competition will run over three stages, each lasting three weeks. Two winners will be selected at the end of each stage: a judges’ choice winner that will be selected by our panel and a people’s choice winner, as voted for by Skype users. These six winners will go forward as finalists for the grand prize.

The People’s Choice winner receive an Apple TV, a copy of CSS3 for Web Designers and one year’s subscription to Unlimited World Extra package. Judge’s Choice receives the same except the Apple TV gets swapped for an iPad 2 WiFi. The Grand Prize winner gets their chat style implemented into Skype for Mac, 11″ MacBook Air, iPad 2 WiFi and the subscription

Genius move for two reasons: it fixes their problem for less than $3000 worth of stuff and if people complain about the new interface, they can easily blame it on the winner.

Get the package at the link after the break.

(via Skype)