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Sven is the co-founder and former CEO of Smashing Magazine. He’s now writing Science-Fiction and at his Conterest Blog, where he focuses on blogs, content … More about Sven

73 Creative Wallpapers – Best of

Quick Summary

If you can’t live without a high quality wallpaper on your desktop you might need to invest many hours in the search for the perfect one - that fits to your resolution and has an appealing theme. The quality of the desktop images is often not the one you’d praise over and over again looking at your desktop.

The best wallpapers aren’t cheap photos, but are works of art in their own right. Wallpapers can be creative, inspiring, gorgeous and hilarious. However, there is more to showcase. And these desktop background graphics are definitely worth a look. Now it’s time for something fresh, original and creative. [Last updated Nov/13/2016]

Table of Contents

If you can’t live without a high quality wallpaper on your desktop you might need to invest many hours in the search for the perfect one - that fits to your resolution and has an appealing theme. The quality of the desktop images is often not the one you’d praise over and over again looking at your desktop.

The best creative wallpapers aren’t cheap photos, but are works of art in their own right. Wallpapers can be creative, inspiring, gorgeous and hilarious. However, there is more to showcase. And these background graphics are definitely worth a look. Now it’s time for something fresh, original and creative. [Last updated Nov/13/2016]

Further Reading on SmashingMag:

This is the ultimate best from Smashing Magazine’s monthly wallpaper calendar contest - running from 2008 until 2016 and still counting. Creative designers and artists from all over the world, here are their finest wallpapers. These wallpapers do not contain any calendars. In many cases there are mobile versions of our wallpapers. Enjoy!

Memories

Designed by Nikola Lazarevic from Serbia.

Creative Wallpapers

Focus Footprints

Maybe some abstract sort of meadows? Maybe some abstract sort of meadows? Designed by Philipp Lehmann from Switzerland.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 10

The Midnight Moon Wallpapers

These are the pyramid and ruins at Chichen Itza in Mexico. Designed by Dan King from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - june 10

Starleaves

Designed by Fabio Toscani from Italy.

Smashing Wallpaper - december 10

Fairytale Land

Designed by Monica Corduneanu from Romania.

Wallpaper

Belka and Strelka Wallpaper

Belka and Strelka spent a day in space on August 19, 1960 before safely returning to Earth. They were the first Earth-born creatures to go into orbit and return alive. Strelka went on to have six puppies. One of the pups was presented to President John F. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline by Nikita Khrushchev in 1961. Wallpaper Designed by Rumake Web Agency from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper

Magic Forest

Inspired by many animated movies taking the viewer to the small world we often don’t see because it’s under our feet. I hope lot’s of green will help you relax :). Designed by Lukasz Bien from Poland.

Wallpapers

An Extraordenary Mountain View

I wanted to express an extraordenary winter landscape. Designed by Stijn Serruys from Belgium.

Smashing Wallpaper - february 10

Caring for planet

In October 15 is celebrated the Environmental Education Day in Brazil so i made this illustration to remember the date. Designed by Marcelo Henrique from Brazil.

Planet Wallpaper

Starbucks Coffee

Everybody I know loves coffee… and for that matter, starbucks! Wallpapers designed by Sasha Bell from England, UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Bonding

Spend some quality time with your parents because they will not always be around. Designed by Terence Gomez from Philippines.

Smashing Wallpaper - november 09

 

Beautiful Prague

Last month I visited Prague - a beautiful city. I re-did wallpapers with Sibiu from May, now with Prague. Designed by Anca Varsandan from Romania.

Smashing Wallpaper - october 09

Escape of Red Riding Hood

Escape of Red Riding Hood. This wallpaper was designed by Monica Corduneanu from Romania.

Smashing Wallpaper - october 09

Ink Mountain

This is a rough and dark, sketchy wallaper with the emphasis on the weight of the “ink” and form of the shapes. Designed by Mike Healy from Australia.

Smashing Wallpaper - july 09

Clockwork Decay Wallpapers

I’ve been wanting to play with a steampunk-themed design for a while. So, I made that the goal of this month’s design. I started out with some watch pieces and I added in some grunge textures and played with the color palette. I really like the way the end result looks like rust, and has a real gritty quality to it. Designed by Arcane Palette Creative Design from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - february 10

Colors of Autumn

Illustration presenting the beginning of autumn. Designed by Berenika Kolaczynska from Poland.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Where Acorns Come from

Acorns coming to life in this wallpaper. Designed by Monica Corduneanu from Romania.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Transformers

Designed by Artcream from Netherlands.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Patlabor Ninja

Patlabor is one of my favorite character anime when I was child. It always amazed me everytime I looked the details about well-designed character’s mechanical shape. So, here I create my own vector character version of Patlabor which I called “Patlabor Ninja”. I hope it’s not too bad comparing to the original design… :) Designed by Andik Taufiq from Indonesia.

Smashing Wallpapers

Symbian World I

Scene from Symbian World. Designed by Anna Alfut from UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - november 10

Symbian World II

Scene from Symbian World. Designed by Anna Alfut from UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 10

Queen

Forest in Autumn. Designed by Jana Jelovac from Serbia.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Searching for spring

Designed by Andrei Verner from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - March 10

Imaginary Friends

The inspiration for this illustration was russian rock’n’roll-song “Pharmacist, judge, beaver and owl” by Maksim Leonidov. Designed by Andrei Verner from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - february 10

Big Catch

My “Big Catch” Wallpaper Illustration was inspired by a drawing I made alittle while ago during an amazing day at the beach. Too bad I did’t see the big catch coming… Designed by Manuel Esposito from Germany.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 09

V for Vendetta

This wallpaper was inspired by the movie V for vendetta (one of my favourites), the quote is from a very dramatic part of the movie where V kills one of the characters after having said the line(hence the blood). Designed by Luka Dadiani from UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Do The Dance

Just a tiny monster dance party! Designed by Guilherme Simoes from Brazil.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 09

Ride a Bike

With spring rolling around (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), it’s time to dust off the old bicycle and get some much needed fresh air and exercise. Let this wallpaper encourage you to spin your wheels at least once this month. Designed by Dan Sweet from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Tidy Desktop

Cleaning time! Here’s a simple and clean calendar to help you keep your desktop nice and tidy. Designed by Axura from Italy.

Smashing Wallpaper - April 2012

It wasn’t me

Actually there no special meaning behind my wallpapers. I just had this idea of a cute monkey character and this is what came out of it. ;) Designed by Nicole Bauer from Germany.

Smashing Wallpaper - june 10

Caballito

Ride a small sea horse and find the depth of your own ocean. Designed by pampaneo from Spain.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Slummingbird

This graphic is about keeping busy and active. For some people, this season is when you relax and let loose… for those like myself, the summer is the busiest time of year for design. Designed by William Hawke Bassignani from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - june 10

Go Green!

May be not in the real world, but pictures like this will surely let you to take a fresh breath.But the reality is the Earth is heating up in every single hour. The early warning signs of global climate distractions are in – heat waves and warmer weather, high tides, Cyclone,spreading disease(e.g. Swine Flu), earthquake, earlier spring arrival and so on. It’s the time to stand up and protect our environment. Designed by Sagar from Bangladesh.

Smashing Wallpaper - july 09

Ele-Centric

Everyday do I quick little something (whether it be colour swatches or banner design) and a friend suggested that I sell what I’m doing, so I recently started an etsy store. This is one of the designs that came from the daily doodles. :) Designed by Elly Gedye from New Zealand.

Smashing Wallpaper - july 09

Friendship

Day of National Unity. Designed by cheloveche.ru from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - november 10

Rock’n’roll Hall Of Fame

A tribute to some of the legends inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Designed by Gokul Nair from India.

Smashing Wallpaper - march 11

Troy

Designed by Zayeem Khan from India.

Smashing Wallpaper - march 11

Sunset Playtime

I created this while I was reminiscing about my childhood and how much fun i had playing when the sun was setting. I wish i could rewind time and go back to those days of just feeling free. Designed by Elyse Jones from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

iLogiCow - absolute social

“The very first debut of a “new something” called iLogiCow. Some say it’s unbelievably creative persona. Some say it’s fresh looking symbol of trendy design ideas. Stay tuned folks.” Designed by iLogiCow from Europe.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 09

Vulkan

“I’ve always been fascinated with volcanoes, so the recent events in Iceland with Eyjafjallajökull was the main inspiration for this wallpaper.” Designed by Viveca Forsblom Ljungdahl from Sweden.

Smashing Wallpaper - june 10

Shine

Designed by Kai Stabel from Germany.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 09

Quiet Blue

Bubbles filled with embryonic geckos floating in a sea of blue, with dark anonymous sharks circling nearby. Designed by Di Harrison from Australia.

Smashing Wallpaper - august 09

The Blessed Night of Al-Qadr

The first day of September 09 will be the 11th day of the Holy month of Ramadan in the Hijri calendar. The month of Ramadan is a very special month for the entire Muslim nation. Muslims are supposed to fast this holy month. Fasting is from first light of dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations. On the moral, behavioral side, one must abstain from lying, malicious gossip, quarrelling and trivial nonsense. Fasting is a great act of worship for the Muslim which he performs by neglecting his desires to please his Lord and hopes for His Reward. The last 10 days of Ramadan have special virtues. Among the unique virtues of these special nights is that Laylat al-Qadr (the night of veneration or honor) is among them. It is the night on which the Quran was sent down. God described it as being blessed and better than a thousand months. He forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this night out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him. Designed by Ahmed Hassan Alley from Egypt.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 09

Ramadan Kareem

Eid ul-Fitr, This happy festival marks the end of the fast of Ramadan which is the Islamic month of fasting. I designed this wallpaper to dedicate my design for the month of Ramadan kareem. Designed by Vanshika Wadhwani from Bahrain.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 10

Welcome Ramadan

Wallpaper I made on the holy occasion of Ramadan. Designed by Taghreed Alhaqbani from Saudi Arabia.

Smashing Wallpaper - september 10

Fuzzy Feeling

We all have the fondest dreams that give us this warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Even if they seem too incredible to come true, always cherish them, as they keep us alive. Happy February everybody! Designed by Lina Itskovitch from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - February 2011

Thargelion

Greece “Thargelion” name and i tried to expose elements culturalof my country, in name florist awarded May. Designed by Boian Cristian from Romania.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Flower Island

My inspiration for this wallpaper was the photo I took in the beautiful butterfly garden in Mainau island. Designed by Zlatina Petrova from Bulgaria.

Flower Island

Cinderella

Inspired from Cinderella fairy tale chracater and created by using free clip art image of cinderella. Designed by NarjisNaqvi from Pakistan.

Smashing Wallpaper - october 09

Ah, Russia - The Famous Trio

Designed by Tihomir Budic from BiH-Republika Srpska.

Smashing Wallpaper - march 11

Doodles

Who says doodles isn’t art? What someone draws unconsciously can oftentimes be the most significant visualization of their stream of thought. Also, it’s therapeutic to doodle. And fun! Designed by Jen Cheng from Canada.

Smashing Wallpaper - february 11

A Fresh Beginning

One bleak morning, a girl sits on a dead tree. She feels sad but tried to put a smile on her lips. Suddenly three glittering butterflies went out from the branches and the world begins anew. The girl whispered, to the earth, ìthank you for a fresh beginning.î At that moment the sun begins to shine on the east. Designed by April Joy E. Jasmin from The Philippines.

Smashing Wallpaper - january 10

Remembering George

On November 29th, the world lost its second Beatle to cancer. George was my favorite of the four, and I thought this lyric was fitting for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Designed by Emily Blackwell from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - november 10

TwoThousandTen

Designed by Xabiso Ndaba from United Kingdom.

Smashing Wallpaper - december 09

New Beginnings

A new year means, well….new? So that’s why I wanted to try something new. I have always loved the vector art I find all the internet and finally decided its about time to prove to myself that I can do that too. This piece is all about feeling, subconscious and conscious. I can’t believe how the slightest change in the curves or colors affected my sense of flow and for that reason I spent an unbelievable amount of time perfecting the flow of the piece ever so meticulously. Here’s to going from an old 2009 (red) to a fresh 2010 (blue). Designed by Saidur Hossain from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - january 10

Scary

Designed by Marta Miazek from Poland.

Smashing Wallpaper - january 10

Wash Away

For my home country, April is always a rainy season filled with cherished memory of the deceased. The rain is washing away our sorrow and cleansing the earth where our beloved lying under. Designed by Jade Cheng from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Sacred Island

“Inspired by an avatar movie, floating island and dragon, happy new year everyone” Designed by Auliya Rahman from Indonesia.

Smashing Wallpaper - january 10

Colours of Life

Just enjoy your life! :)Just enjoy your life! Designed by Wouter Sioen from Belgium.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Circus

There are 48 more clowns in this picture. Find them all. Designed by Cheloveche.ru from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - April 2012

Transformers

Designed by Artcream from Netherlands.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Birdhouses in Wallpapers

Designed by Pietje Precies from The Netherlands.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Patlabor Ninja

Patlabor is one of my favorite character anime when I was child. It always amazed me everytime I looked the details about well-designed character’s mechanical shape. So, here I create my own vector character version of Patlabor which I called “Patlabor Ninja”. I hope it’s not too bad comparing to the original design… Designed by Andik Taufiq from Indonesia.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Expanse

The shear magnitude of our corner of creation is inconceivably small compared to the known universe, which overshadows our solar system 1.25 quadrillion (successor to trillion) to 1 in diameter alone. Humility in this great expanse should be instinctive. Designed by Coswyn from United States.

Smashing Wallpaper - november 10

Up

Fun spring. Designed by Anca Varsandan from Romania.

Smashing Wallpaper - March 10

Global Warming Warning

I just wanted to remind you, guys, that we should all take care of our planet and don’t forget about global warming too! Designed by Andrei Verner from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Lemonade Love

Just a little wallpaper from me, I’m a huge fan of lemonade! Designed by Sasha Bell from England, UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - march 10

Matilda’s Backyard

It was May day Eve. The clock strikes twelve. The cat was asleep, the ladder cast aside and the book with a giant red apple opens. Designed by April Joy E. Jasmin from Philippines.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Warsaw Wallpapers

Designed by Berenika Kołaczyńska from Poland.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 10

Fallen Icon Mozart

I want to pay homage to a fallen young icon Mozart. Designed by Jeremiah Selengia from Tanzania.

Smashing Wallpaper - december 10

All Seeing

An abstract, gold all-seeing eyeball. No real rhyme or reason to it - enjoy! Designed by Evan Eckard from USA.

Smashing Wallpaper - July 2011

Heart Splash

I always see a lot of photography featuring random fruit and lemons (a lot of lemons!) falling/splashing into water, and thought it would be cool to turn a photography “idea” into a vector looking design, but with a heart! Hope you enjoy this! Wallpapers Designed by Rosanna Bell from England, UK.

Smashing Wallpaper - march 10

Alma Climber

Like the winter in february (Northern Hemisphere), the climber is reaching the mountain top and both soon will start to slowly go down for the beginning of spring in march. Designed by Pablo Prudêncio from Brazil.

Smashing Wallpaper - February 2011

Chuck misses a tooth

Was kinda bored and looking for some fun. So, came up with Mr. Chuck who just lost a tooth! Designed by Abdus Salam from Pakistan.

Smashing Wallpaper - March 10

Banana Slip

I had an idea about a big monkey/gorilla with a lovely girl in his neck. The girl is a little bit dominant and she points him at the banana. So I drawed it on a paper, scanned it and work it all out in Illustrator and Photoshop. The idea is that the monkey has drop his banana on the floor, which is dangerous because someone can slip over it. So the little girl points at the banana and the monkey/gorilla has to pick it up, before someone is going to slip over it. Designed by Eelco Verbrugge from Netherlands.

Smashing Wallpaper - april 10

Prevail

The devastation in Japan as a result of the tsunami’s been enormous. As a tribute, I thought I’d create this piece. Designed by Umer Tahir from Canada.

Smashing Wallpaper - june 11