Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: August 2009

• By The Smashing Editorial
• July 31st, 2009
• Calendars, Showcases, Wallpapers
• 205 Comments

Desktop wallpapers can serve as an excellent source of inspiration. However, if you use some specific wallpaper for a long period of time, it becomes harder to draw inspiration out of it. That’s why we have decided to supply you with smashing wallpapers over 12 months.

And to make them a little bit more distinctive from the usual crowd, we’ve decided to embed calendars for the upcoming month. So if you need to look up some date, isn’t it better to show off a nice wallpaper with a nice calendar instead of launching some default time application?

This post features 50 free desktop wallpapers, created by designers across the globe. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free.

Please notice:

• all images can be clicked 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?

So what wallpapers have we received for August 2009?

Belka and Strelka

"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." Designed by Rumake Web Agency from Russia.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440

Memories

Designed by Nikola Lazarevic from Serbia.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

A lazy August afternoon

"August is the time for relaxation." Designed by Monica Corduneanu from Romania.

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• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

Horse Rider

Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Russia.

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• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1440×960, 1600×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

Do The Dance

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

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• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050

B-side

"Because the back side can be beautiful as well and because there is always more than one point of view. Enjoy!" Designed by Federica Sibella from Italy.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Happy Friendship Month

"As we step into another new month, I realize that this one is of those special month. Life without friends is akin to boat without a sail in the middle of sea. This wallpaper is a dedication to all my friends who have given meaning to my life. Speaking about the wallpaper, it is rainy season in India and you could see fresh greenery all around. The presence of your friends along with so much of beauty of nature is always so much to enjoy. Those two kids have just started this life long journey called friendship.All hail Friends!" Designed by Puneeta Prakash from India.

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• with calendar: 640×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×1024, 1680×1200
• without calendar: 640×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×1024, 1680×1200

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.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

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.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440

Gezellig

"Gezellig – is a term that is said to encompass the heart of Dutch culture. One says it is untranslatable. Enjoy my attempt to translate ‘gezellig’…" Designed by PeHaa from Poland.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Colombian Orchid

"The orchid is the colombian national flower. This photo was taken inside of “José Celestino Mútis” Botanical Garden in Bogotá." Designed by Carolina Obando (photographer) from Colombia.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Rock the Web

"Just wanted to make something interesting and express my gratitude to my favorite site. I love you!" Designed by Alexey Chernishov from Ukraine.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Summer Colours

"This is my first attempt at a calendar. The design of the fish was inspired by the Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha. I wanted to convey the feel of the month of August through colours. Enjoy!" Designed by Valerie Kozina from Canada.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 800×600, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Wii Fit Girl

"Wallpaper featuring the original and lovely Wii Fit Girl, Lauren Bernat" Designed by Giovanny Gutierrez from US.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Hadedah Ibis

"Hadedah Ibis are imbued with a sense of legend and history, in this wallpaper the history of flight, sound, art, murky legends and nostalgia are combined to create a moody, soulful wallpaper that will inspire and delight." Designed by Tamsyn Lancaster from South Africa.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

It is Better to Create

"This months wallpaper is based around a Julius Caesar quote.It has been designed with a blue colour pallette and orange accent colours.There is also a subtle grunge effect to give the wallpaper some texture." Designed by Paul Randall from England.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Hamster

"Happy Hamster in Harvest time." Designed by Inna Dekhtiar from Ukraine.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 800×600, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1200

Sleeping Moon, Busy Planet

"The planets stay busy making jam, while the moon sleeps" Designed by Chris Alexander (Yipori) from England.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440

Gladiolus Explosion (August Flower)

"Inspired from the August flower ‘Gladiolus’ the design explores the form of the flower, textures and typography, making the wallpaper a striking and elegant design." Designed by Kate Jones from UK, Brighton.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Ride on the Green wave

"Going green has no seasons. It is an all-year commitment. While out enjoying the sun in the summer for the Northern Hemisphere, ride on the green wave and minimise our carbon footprints." Designed by Wong Kuo Tsung Jordan from Singapore.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

August Sentense

"Just motivating sentence for August :)" Designed by Temeshi from Poland.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Lion Storm

"A shining lion with a grunge background." Designed by Booloo from France.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

I’m a Frog, you’re a Frog, Kiss Me!

"Made in Québec!" Designed by Mélanie Denis from Québec, Canada.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Drawing Innocence

Designed by Anil Omanwar from India.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050

Humans

"This summer I’ve spent 2 awesome weeks in Barcelona. This picture was taken on the rooftop of Gaudi’s “La Pedrera”." Designed by Anca Varsandan from Romania.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

You’ve Got August

"I have been a follower of Smashing Magazine for a while but I have never contributed, so this is my first shot. I am an illustrator by heart and this idea came from my notebook full of doodles. I hope you enjoy!" Designed by Luke Eaton with Blue Arrow Design Group from USA.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Wildlife

Designed by Amandinelle from France.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Dream Car Love

"Guys usually like to pin up girly posters or calendars. This is a parody on this with a car hanging up a picture or calendar of it’s dream girl (car). For those car fanatics or people who just like a classy desktop." Designed by SKO from USA.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Bored?

Designed by Yigit Yuksel from Turkey.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Butterfly Effect

"I read about the butterfly effect . . .the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings can effect climate changes on the other side of the planet .its very amazing . so I thought to do some design use butterfly, and I used Paul Erlich quotes in this design" Designed by Maya.Sivalingam from Sri Lanka.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

All she wants to do is dance.

"Tina just got her new dancing robot, but she’s not allowed to play with it at home.So she sneaks off to another planet to dance, but they’re afraid of her, so they try tohurt her. Too bad their weapons are useless against robots." Designed by Kristen M. Leonard from USA.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Freedom

"Freedom15 August being the independence day of India. I have used the colours in indian flag and children enjoying there freedom." Designed by Supriya Dcunha from India.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

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.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Unleashing Happiness

Designed by Anil Omanwar from India.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1680×1050

Charles Darwin Anniversary

Designed by Pablo Jimeno from Spain.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

MotoGP Champ

"This calendar was created for the motorcycle enthusiasts who visit www.allaboutbikes.com.The photo depicts Dani Pedrosa on his Repsol Honda before going on to win Round 8 at Laguna Seca in July 2009." Designed by Erica Volkman from USA.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Bright Summers Eve

"Beams of sun play across the sky, as a tree sits patient on the ground. A summery illustration based on August." Designed by Hennell from UK.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Eight8

"I am a freelance graphic designer from India, currently involved inbranding, banner and brochre design. I love typograhy and I findminimalism to be more amusing than others. My love for minimalism inspired me to do this piece. " Designed by Venkat Sharma AG from India.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1400, 1680×1050

August Shine

Designed by Kai Stabel from Germany.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Fireworks Flower

"This plant was just too interesting to overlook. It reminded me a lot of the fireworks that had been going off the past few weeks. I felt like it was a good transition into the end of summer." Designed by A. Monday from USA.

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• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Life or Death

"The idea behind this is to portray the choice that people often have to make about living life. Should you take a risk or take all the necessary precautions to stay safe which may do more damage in the end?" Designed by Kristen Brewer from USA.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050

Still Flying

"A Firefly tribute." Designed by Chelsea Otakan from USA.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Deep Green

"This is a photo taken, some July’s day in beautiful a nature reserve “Ku?nik”near to city Pi?a in Poland, this a really amazing place." Designed by Mateusz Mackowiak from Poland.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Hummm

Designed by Jennifer Kowal from USA.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Peony Pink

"A little bit of pink…" Designed by Marlaine Weber from Canada.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900

Sunflower Eclipse

"Maybe it’s a little too late for the total eclipse…" Designed by Mac Funamizu from Japan.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Urbanshamanism

"You may think that magick doesn’t exist; that if it ever did, it abandoned us when we became an industrialized society. But I think that’s wrong. Magick is still here – it’s switched from analog to digital, it’s embedded in hypertext and video compression algorithms. It’s transferred into our homes along copper and fiber-optic ley lines. Urban sprawls and social networking sites become massive nodes that contain the dreams and reflections of thousands of souls. Finding the layer of magick under the surface of things is the inspiration for this month’s wallpaper. I chose warm colors to represent the end of the summer and a time when our lives were defined by the changing of the seasons and the cycles of the sun and the moon." Designed by Arcane Palette Creative Design from USA.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1920×1200

Freedom 15

"Celebrating Independence!" Designed by Viswanath J from India.

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• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

I found something

"This character found something new in his life, it’s reflection of my life. Sometimes he found a good things, but next day he found a bad one." Designed by Indrajid from Indonesia.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720

Night at Wuxi

"Quick play with the photo I took in WuXi, adding some pattern to bring the colors to your desktop." Designed by JJ.Ying from China.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Giving up The Demons

"Dedicated to all the innocent lives fade out in wars. May God bless the thousands others who have been abandoned alone by the devils in a tragic end of valuable human life." Designed by Marek Okon from Poland; adapted by Sagar from Bangladesh.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200
• without calendar: 800×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1440×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200

How can we improve the SM Calendar Series?

What can be done to improve the desktop wallpaper calendar series? What should be changed? What do you miss? Let us know in the poll and in the comments to this post!

Join in next month!

Please notice that we respect the ideas and motivation behind artists’ work which is why we’ve given artists full freedom to explore their creativity and express emotions and experience through their works. And this is also why the themes of the wallpapers weren’t anyhow influenced by us, but designed from scratch by the artists themselves.

Thanks to all designers for participation. Join in next month!

What’s your favorite?

What’s your favourite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comments! And have a smashing August, folks!