Since eight years, our monthly desktop wallpapers challenge is a Smashing favorite that wouldn’t be possible without the tireless efforts of talented designers and artists from across the globe. On a quest to cater for wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd, we challenge you, the design community, to get your creative juices flowing and produce some interesting and inspiring designs each month anew. And, well, it wasn’t any different this time around.
This post features wallpapers to get your desktop ready for August 2016. They all come in versions with and without a calendar and can be downloaded for free. A big thank-you to everyone who tickled their creativity and contributed their ideas!
Further Reading on SmashingMag:
- From The Design Community With Love: Inspiring Desktop Wallpapers
- 100 Creepy Hand-Picked Horror Wallpapers
- Beautiful iPhone And iPad Retina Wallpapers
- Halloween Wallpapers : Monsters, Pumpkins & Zombies…
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 Calendars series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?
Chill Out
“Summer is in full swing and Chicago is feeling the heat! Take some time to chill out!” — Designed by Denise Johnson from Chicago.
- preview
- with calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1200
- without calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1200
Psst, It’s Camping Time…
“August is one of my favorite months, when the nights are long and deep and crackling fire makes you think of many things at once and nothing at all at the same time. It’s about these heat and cold which allow you to touch the eternity for a few moments.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.
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- with calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Bee Happy!
“August means that fall is just around the corner, so I designed this wallpaper to remind everyone to ‘bee happy’ even though summer is almost over. Sweeter things are ahead!” — Designed by Emily Haines from the United States.
- preview
- with calendar: 640x480, 800x600, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 640x480, 800x600, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
The Pink Machine
“Inspired by the colors of our agency, pink and black, our designer took to her iPhone 6 to finger paint a splash of creativity. An abstract painting conveying how design meets developing in our team.” — Designed by Chelsea Lundy from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Grow Where You Are Planted
“Every experience is a building block on your own life journey, so try to make the most of where you are in life and get the most out of each day.” — Designed by Tazi Design from Australia.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Summer Nap
Designed by Dorvan Davoudi from Canada.
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- with calendar: 800x480, 800x600, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 800x480, 800x600, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Shades
“It’s sunny outside (at least in the Northern Hemisphere!), so don’t forget your shades!” — Designed by James Mitchell from the United Kingdom.
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- with calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 2880x1800
- without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 2880x1800
Dog Day
“On August 26th, we get the chance to celebrate these wonderful animals that love us no matter what.” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 640x1136, 750x1334, 1242x2208, 1366x768, 2880x1800
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 640x1136, 750x1334, 1242x2208, 1366x768, 2880x1800
Treat Yourself
“It’s still winter in my part of Australia so warm coffee and donuts by the open fire is a treat. For warmer climates an outdoor picnic in the park with coffee and donuts sounds fun, too!” — Designed by Glynnis Owen from Australia.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Rain, Rain Go Away!
“Remember the nursery rhyme where the little boy pleads the rain to go away? It is one of the most pleasant and beautiful seasons when the whole universe buckles up to dance to the rhythm of the drizzles that splash across the earth. And, it is August, the time of the year when monsoons add a lot of color and beauty to nature. We welcome everyone to enjoy the awesomeness of monsoons.” — Designed by Acodez from India.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1440x1050, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1440x1050, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Elephant Time
“August is very notable for me. It is the month of two great events - World Elephant Day and the birthday of my son (both are on August 12th - what a coincidence!). So I want to share my double joy with you! Remember, elephants are great animals (in all meanings), but they still need your care.” — Designed by Anna K. from Minsk, Belarus.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 720x1280, 750x1334, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 720x1280, 750x1334, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Penny-Farthing!
“I love cycling as a sport and August is a perfect time for it. Cycling started as a sport with the creation of the Penny-Farthing (also called the High Wheel), in the late 1800s. It’s a fun and whimsical symbol of the Victorian age.” — Designed by Cheryl Ferrell from San Francisco.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 800x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
Flowers Festival
“The Flowers Festival is a festival that takes place in August, in the city of Medellín. It’s wonderful because it celebrates the tradition and culture of the people.” — Designed by Carolina from Colombia.
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- with calendar: 320x240, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x960, 1366x1025, 1440x1080, 1600x1200, 1680x1260, 1920x1440, 2560x1920
- without calendar: 320x240, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x960, 1366x1025, 1440x1080, 1600x1200, 1680x1260, 1920x1440, 2560x1920
Olympic Summer Of 2016
“The final countdown has begun! The 31st Summer Olympic Games start on August 5th and promise two weeks of superhuman struggle for eternal glory. Support your favorites and enjoy hot August.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.
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- with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
- without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
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 designers for their participation. Join in next month!
What’s Your Favorite?
What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comment section below.