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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 September 2009?

Snow Leopard

“The new version of Mac OS X, Snow Leopard, has just been released, so I wanted to celebrate it with new artwork. In some way, I designed it in contrary to the OS box design, which is a bit too aggressive. Well, mine is a bit too ’sweet’ probably :-)” Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Irkutsk, Russia.

• 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, 2560×1600

Colors of Autumn

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

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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

Little Paris

"This was fun to play around with.Hope you guys like it.It shows the city center of Bucharest, Romania in the golden era of the city.Back then itwas called “The little Paris”.The image is part of an existing calendar ilustrating the old Bucharest in different times of the year." Designed by Ilie Vlad from Romania.

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

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.

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

Caballito

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

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Prelude

"An experiment with photo manipulation and digital collage techniques. (Many thanks to&nbspand that provide free high quality images for mixing and alteration. Also, thanks to for the free script font, Porcelain)." Designed by S. Beehler from Canada.

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

Sunset Supervisor

"My wallpaper is an illustration of the Sunset Supervisor, Jack the Gecko and the White Elephant on an expedition through the desert of time." Designed by Manuel Esposito from Germany.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Centuries

Designed by Valentin Bojilov.

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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

Where Acorns Come from

"Acorns coming to life in September." 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
• without 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

Queen

"Forest in Autumn." Designed by Jana Jelovac 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

Sticking Art

"The idea behind my wallpapers is ‘Smashing Magazine’ with it’s amazingway of taking art from every place around the world and putting it infront – it is the way I thank you for everything you do." Designed by Catalin Boroi from Romania.

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

Upside Down World Map

Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Irkutsk, Russia.

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• with calendar: 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

Dussehra

"Dussehra is a very famous festival of hindu people. On this holy day lord ram killed dashanan (rawan). So it is a holy religious day and celebrated as the victory of truth and goodness over bad people. On this day, effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakaran and Meghanad are stuffed with firecrackers and set alight." Designed by Supriya Kunal Dcunha from India.

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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

Illustration Talk Like a Pirate Day

"A little Illustration for the month of the International Talk Like a Pirate Day." Designed by Leo Lemes from Brasil.

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• with calendar: 480×320, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Shattered

"September marks the beginning of Autumn and this wallpaper design is a geometric depiction of dead leaves falling from trees." Designed by Franz Jeitz from Luxembourg.

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

The Jam Factory

"The tastiest jam is being freshly prepared in the sky." Designed by Chris Alexander (Yipori) from England.

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• 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

Glowing Grunge

Designed by Sebastian Gonzalez from USA.

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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

Potato Pirates

"September being the national “potato month”, and having the international”talk like a pirate day” on the 19th, inspired us at gelattina to create a wallpaper, celebrating these two things.. that’s why we have Mr. Potato Pirate and his crew!! ARGGH…" Designed by Débora Márquez from Gelattina, México.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050

Neon House Spirit

"This deserted house needs some magic to return for life… so i send him a little bit of neon spirit light, maybe after it will recover his past life…and you some inspiration!" Designed by Dovi Vausk from Lithuania (resident Spain).

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1280×960, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×960, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Music

"This is a little wallpaper I did according to abduzeedo’s supercool frilly bits typography tutorial of course i changed a lot of details so as to make it look different. The wallpaper itself has one simple word “Music” why? Because I love music I think u can get the hidden meaning yourself. " Designed by Luka Dadiani from UK.

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

Last Melitea

"Just another thought to the summer… September will bring a lot of nostalgia ;(" Designed by m-mstudio from Italy.

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

Chicken Sunrise

"”The Inspiration for this Calender is the city of Mumbai itself. The city which usually never sleeps, but gets buzzing right in the early hours!I shot this picture of the hen, who was probably laying her eggs, but looks lost and sleepy in her thoughts! The graphic represents the hustle-bustle of Mumbai, represented by itstwo most common (and cheap) modes of transport- the three wheelers and the vintage FIAT taxi’s! Its Chaotic, Its Grungy, Its loud and Buzzing, but like thischaos has its own symphony which unfolds in front of you everyday!”A little bit about me – I’m Principal – Design at Pineapple Consulting ( www.pineappleconsulting.biz ), we deal into areas like branding and communication design, Product and packagingdesign, and interaction design! Located in Mumbai, India, I’m looking to meet some interesting people and projects from across the world!" Designed by Ameet Mehta from India..

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

S for September

"I made this wallpaper because I am a big fan of Typography especially the Old English type, I drew the S myself and then scanned it in and made a wallpaper, I hope you will like it, let me know what u think." Designed by Luka Dadiani from UK.

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

Brown September

Designed by Barney from Slovakia.

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

First Fog

"This is the day the first fog came to this valley after a hot summer. The castle is preparing for the autumn. My first contribution to Smashing Magazine, feels really good though I didn’t have much timeto work on this one. Thanks for the inpsiration and the best online magazine ever!" Designed by Akif Top from Sweden.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1920×1200

Field of Gold

"Ready to start again after vacation? Take a deep breath! If you use an unsupported resolution and would like a version please send me an email: I’ll do my best to create it." Designed by Federica Sibella from Italy.

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

Darkness with Rays of Light

"Here comes another September filled with equal darkness and rays of light. The darkness and light flows in circles. The birds are tweeting to welcome the spring. The colorful lights are all around.Blessed are us for this is a transformation of energy. That will return three-fold back!" Designed by Puneeta Prakash from India.

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• with calendar: 640×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×1024, 1680×1200, 1920×1200

Circles

Designed by Hector Ruiz Gonzales from Peru.

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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

Curiosity and the Rose

"Alaskan Malamute Dog and Red Rose, This work is dedicated to the Public Domain. You may use this photo for any purpose, including commercial." Designed by Photos8.com from USA.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1600×1200, 1920×1440

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.

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

Walking

Designed by Pedro Quesada from Spain.

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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

Smashing September

"A type-based wallpaper celebrating Smashing’s September set of wallpapers!" Designed by Justin Zalewski Design from USA.

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

The Gift of The Nile

"The Greek historian, Herodotus, wrote that ‘Egypt was the gift of the Nile’, and in a sense that is correct. Without the waters of the Nile River for irrigation, Egyptian civilization would probably have been short-lived. The Nile provided the elements that make a vigorous civilization, and contributed much to its lasting three thousand years." Designed by Mahmoud Ahmed Hamam from Egypt.

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• with calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900

Zommmbie Girl

Designed by John Kichote from Poland.

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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

Coils

"September, the time when most of the worlds students go back to school after the summer holidays, something to cheer them up." Designed by Aleksey from Australia.

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• with calendar: 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Septypo

"Best month in the Year. Elegant Helvetica typography." Designed by Dannci from Slovakia.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Breathe

Designed by Misty Michelle from USA.

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

Dogtember

"Dedicated to all doggies missing their masters" Designed by Inna Dekhtiar from Ukraine.

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

Bye Bye Beach

"The photo was taken at Sidmouth (England) this summer. The arm is a friend who posed in other photos." Designed by Jesús Ludeña from Guadalajara, Spain.

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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

September Colors

"”September Colors” wallpaper is based around colourful starting and peaceful endings. Most people think that the most favourable color for the month of September is purple but I refuse to agree. So i created this wallpaper with some mix feelings." Designed by DKumar M. from USA.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

September

"There are many remarkable events in september which make this month importantfor everyone.Some countries celebrate their independence day in it and some nations ascribe its daysfor remembering their heros. 11 September brings sad memories thus many good and bad belong tothis month. It also brings a special day (birthday) for me. Through this typographic wallpaper I try toexpose the value of september." Designed by NarjisNaqvi from Pakistan.

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

Autumn Green

"Autumn starts on or around 15 September in solar term. September begins on the same day of the week as December every year. September’s birthstone is the ‘sapphire’ which means clear thinking. The birthflowers for this month are the ‘forget-me-not’, and ‘aster’. " Designed by Sagar from Bangladesh.

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

Tea anyone?

"In September the weather gets cold and it starts raining very often, here in Germany. A nice way to keep yourself warm is a delicious cup of tea. I designed a clean wallpaper with some nice typography-elements and a warm cup of tea to express all that." Designed by Jens Thamm from Germany.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

September Sentense

"Just motivating sentence for September :)" 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

A Geometric Vision

"This months wallpaper is inspired by the work of Andy Gilmore with the colours swatch based on the Blade Runner (final cut) DVD cover. The font is called Neighbourhood by Andy Chung" 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

Rusting Beauty

"Old Changi Hospital in Singapore is a favourite amongst thrill-seekers and photographers for spine-chilling and paranormal experience. Served its purpose during WWII, decades of desolation brought the all-too familiar forlorn spookiness which abandoned architecture tends to present. Hopefully HDR techniques can bring out the rusting beauty in them." 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

Hang In There

"Things are always changing – hang in there: it’ll be alright." Designed by Marlaine Weber from Canada.

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

Existence

"Through thought and madness the gods of ages past dwell in eternal etherial lands, where time is lost and insight gained." Designed by Daniel Whyte from New Zealand.

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

Full Moon Dancing

"Just the imagination of the full moon dancing,inspired by the music album named “Buddha Moon”, produced by Chinmaya Dunster." Designed by Smalllotus from China.

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

Dream

Designed by Carolina Araujo from Brasil.

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

September Song

"A dark visualization of “September Song”, a song composed 70 years ago by K. Weill and M.Anderson, recorded by many music monsters (Frank Sinatra, Sara Vaughan, James Brown,Willie Nelson, Lou Reed)… and printed on the background of this wallpaper." Designed by Daniele Marino from Italy.

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

Retro Fall

"Simple and minimalistic wallpaper with a retro feel based on my analog photographs from Tokyo." Designed by Adrian Tomic from Sweden.

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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

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 September, folks!