We always try our best to challenge your artistic abilities and produce some interesting, beautiful and creative artwork. As designers, we usually turn to different sources of inspiration. As a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one: desktop wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd.
This creativity mission has been going on for over five years now, and we’re very thankful to all the designers who have contributed and are still diligently contributing each month. This post features free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe for August 2013. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free. It’s time to freshen up your desktop wallpaper, folks!
Please note that:
- All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,
- You can feature your work in our magazine by taking part in our Desktop Wallpaper Calendar series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?
Autumn Colors
“I love the autumncolors and making pictures, this is a collage of bits and pieces of various autumn photos from previous seasons. Enjoy!” — Designed by Agnes Swart from the Netherlands.
- preview
- with calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440
Argyle October
“I really enjoy simple designs and thats the way I like to design. I tried to do as much as I could with as little as I can.” — Designed by Josh Smith from the United States.
- preview
- with calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
- without calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
Sports Day In Japan
“Sports day is held every October in Japan for kids in kindergarten to high school.” — Designed by Evangeline Neo from Japan.
- preview
- with calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
Beautiful Autumn
Designed by Frank Miller from Prague, CZ.
- preview
- with calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1366x768, 1400x900
- without calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1366x768, 1400x900
Retro October
“When I think of October I think of making homemade applesauce, pumpkin bread, etc. in a warm, inviting kitchen. I added the vintage theme to further push the homemaker feel.” — Designed by Kelly Sheaffer from the United States.
- preview
- with calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
- without calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
October Gifts
“I was inspired by autumn and those gifts that presented to us in the form of beautiful colors, unusual shapes and mysterious weather. So enjoy October! :)” — Designed by Juliagav from Ukraine.
- preview
- with calendar: 640x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1366x768
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1366x768
Let The Beauty
“A wonderful quote by Jalal ad-Din Rumi and an excellent image by Tan Chuan-Yean.” — Designed by Aydin Demircioglu from Germany.
- preview
- with calendar: 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 1366x768, 2560x1600
- without calendar: 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 1366x768, 2560x1600
Building Singapore: Old Supreme Court
“This wallpaper design is inspired by the Old Supreme Court of Singapore, the last structure in Singapore to be built in the style of classical architecture. It’s currently in the process of being converted into the National Art Gallery of Singapore, slated to be open in 2015!” — Designed by Teo Yu Siang from Singapore
- preview
- with calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 2880x1800
- without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2880x1800
Trafalgar Day
“To commemorate the victory and death of Admiral Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar, 21 October 1805.” — Designed by Adrian Sandu from Romania (currently living in Ireland).
- preview
- with calendar: 1280x720, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 1366x768
- without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 1600x900, 1366x768
Adventure
“Go into the imagination of a young boy…going out to be the hero of his own story.” — Designed by Anne O’Konski from the United States.
- preview
- with calendar: 800x480, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 800x480, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Fall Colors
“I was inspired to create this wallpaper by the natural elements of fall. Comfortable clothes, crisp air, hot chocolate and the vibrant colors of autumn bring a joy to my soul unlike any other season. I took this picture on one of my walks near my house. Embrace the change and absorb the wonderful beauty of this season!” — Designed by Cody Courmier from Denver, CO.
- preview
- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
Geometric Series: Lady Gaga
“The Geometric Series is a series of graphite-on-paper artworks that celebrates and commemorates some of the world’s most popular - and controversial - celebrities. Each artwork is completed using nothing but geometric shapes (mostly triangles), resulting in an interesting pseudo-3D portrait. This artwork is the second in the series, featuring the Queen of Monsters, Lady Gaga. Hope you guys like it!” — Designed by Teo Yu Sheng from Singapore.
- preview
- with calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 2880x1800
- without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440
A Night To Sparkle!
“October brings Halloween! A fun time of year, where we get to dress up and go Trick or Treating! I have fond memories of me and my family lighting sparklers, attempting to write your name with them, and throwing them into the night sky when theyre almost done! :)” — Designed by Kelly from Ireland.
- preview
- with calendar: 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
October Fun
“My wallpaper was inspired by my love for the Autumn season. I wanted to capture some of my favorite aspects about this time of the year and put them into a design that anyone can enjoy on their computer screen. I love animals so I decided to put in a classic black cat and her family. I also wanted to emphasize the lovely colors of the season throughout the piece with the changing foliage and the landscape. I also wanted this design to have a family friendly, kid feel. The style is almost like a coloring book page, and has a “cutesy” aspect that kids will enjoy.” — Designed by Lauren McNallen from Pennsylvania, USA.
- preview
- with calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
- without calendar: 320x480, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
Sheepish Fall Knitters
“When I think of October I think of fall, cold, and sweaters. It just so happens that my mom knits and especially during the fall season she goes overload with all the socks, hats, and sweaters she knits for all us kids. So I decided to put that idea into a comic-like illustration. I felt like a little humor was needed to make the illustration a little more fun.” — Designed by Emily Allard from the United States.
- preview
- with calendar: 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
- without calendar: 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1440x900, 1920x1200
Join In Next Month!
Please note that we respect and carefully consider the ideas and motivation behind each and every artist’s work. This is why we give all artists the full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience throughout their works. This is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but rather designed from scratch by the artists themselves.
A big thank you to all the designers for their participation. We encourage you to participate and join in next month!
What’s Your Favorite?
What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comments section below.