Wallpaper of the Week – Colourful Universe
I can’t believe it’s already the eight edition of Wallpaper of the Week. The wallpaper for this week is entitled Colourful Universe. The wallpaper was designed by UK based graphic designer, Simon Page. He is a self-taught graphic designer who loves many aspects of design but his main passions are typography art, illustration and geometric design.
Please check out the wallpaper in full-view to really see the beauty of Simon’s work. The circle is incredibly filled with smaller circles and amazing colors.
Colourful Universe
Download
Wallpaper Resolutions:
Intro
Note: This is what Simon had to say about the creation of this wallpaper.
The first reaction for most people, to this wallpaper design, is to mention the Spirograph toy. As a kid, I loved that toy and would spend hours creating shapes with it.
Production & Process
My aim for this design was to use as many colours as possible but in such a way that it didn’t come across too forced. My process for creating the core vector elements involved Actionscript, initially, but you can replicated this without in native Illustrator, it’s just quick if you can. Having got the vector elements arranged as required in Illustrator I then exported this into Photoshop making each circle a separate layer and then making these individual smart objects. I then applied gradient effects and blend modes to these layers (202 in total). I then packaged all these in to a single smart objects finishing of the look with some final motion effects as well as duplicating
the smart object. For more info and other designs, see my website.
Quick Summary
- Estimated time:2 hours
- Tools: Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop
- Total Layers Used: 637 (3 sets of the design plus effects)
Screenshots
Please share you thoughts about this wallpaper on the comments section below. If you liked this wallpaper, please tell your friends by re-tweeting it. You can also subscribe to the RSS Feed.
Adit Gupta
January 10th, 2010 4:15 amWow!! This is absolutely amazing. More so, if you look at it from Physics point of view – roughly speaking, it looks like warping of time-space by a supermassive black hole, making a sort of colorful accretion disk in the center in which the accretion rate has approached the Eddington limit thereby puffing up into some torus like 3D- shape (I somehow also see it as torus!!)
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 5:19 amThat’s probably the most technical, scientific comment I have ever read. Can’t even understand/decipher it. Sounds really smart though. :)
Thanks Adit! I’m glad you like it.
Adit Gupta
January 10th, 2010 5:27 amThe Wallpaper stimulated my brain in such a way that those words just came out like anything!! :D
I agree with Tomas that it reminds you of James White works. Awesomeness!!
Tomas
January 10th, 2010 4:37 amLooks great! Well done Simon! Reminds me James White works.
.-= Tomas´s latest Blog Entry – Get 50% Discount for WordPress Hosting on WpWebHost =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 5:18 amActually, that’s s true. Either way, they are both amazing Graphic Designers. :)
Dan
January 10th, 2010 7:34 amI think it’s true in that James uses the colour spectrum otherwise different and yep both are incredibly good graphic artists
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:28 amI agree, the use of the spectrum is quite different. I guess when you see a spectrum, you automatically think of James White. ;)
Smashing Share
January 10th, 2010 4:56 amGreat work by Simon.
.-= Smashing Share´s latest Blog Entry – Weekly Smashing Web Design Inspiration – #2 =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 5:18 amThanks mate!
Oliver Edwards
January 10th, 2010 5:21 amPlaying with colors is awesome! This reminds me of adobe.kuler.com – the most useful tool online.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:22 amHehe, the Adobe Kuler website does remind me of Simon’s wallpaper. Playing with colors is fun, I actually did it on the last wallpaper I made for Wallpaper of the Week.
Atul Thanvi
January 10th, 2010 5:28 amNice wallpaper and specially i like the way design process is explained.
Thanks for sharing.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:22 amThanks Atul. Yep, that’s my plan for Wallpaper of the Week. If possible, I’d like to show the design process behind each one. ;)
webbografico
January 10th, 2010 5:29 amreally nice!
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:23 amThanks!
texturezine
January 10th, 2010 6:10 amGreat very nice work Simon. Thanks share Jad!
.-= texturezine´s latest Blog Entry – 4 Free Concrete Textures =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:23 amYou’re welcome. I’m sure Simon appreciates the compliments as well.
designi1
January 10th, 2010 7:21 amreally nice wallpaper :D and thanks for posting this Jad
.-= designi1´s latest Blog Entry – Design for the smile – what the feelings can tell more about your design? =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:24 amI’m glad you liked the wallpaper. It was a pleasure to be able to post Simon’s work.
Dan
January 10th, 2010 7:27 amBeen a fan of Simon’s for a while and love his work – this is just a small part of his awesome portfolio. Love the screenshots.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:24 amI’m a big fan of Simon’s work as well. And to think that I just found his portfolio about 2 weeks ago? :)
Sarah
January 10th, 2010 7:41 amI have a new fab wallpaper (Great work, very impressive Simon) and you have a new follower!
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:26 amThanks for putting the wallpaper to use and thanks for following the Design Informer.
Josh
January 10th, 2010 7:54 amGreat Wallpaper! There is a superb blend of colours which are really captivating. The harmony and visual equilibrium evoked is really amazing. This wallpaper seems to convey a sense of mystery. Love it!
.-= Josh´s latest Blog Entry – Designing an Idea – How to Beautify your Inspiration =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 10:27 amI agree Josh. That’s what I really love about this wallpaper. The way he fuses all of them together to create a radial spectrum is incredible. :)
Oh, and it’s amazing how he uses Flash to create those shapes as well.
Matto
January 10th, 2010 10:56 amGreat indeed!
Jad Limcaco
January 10th, 2010 11:05 amThanks Matto! :)
James
January 10th, 2010 3:19 pmWoooooh check out this guy portfolio, mental stuff
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 1:11 amYes, his portfolio is amazing. Look out for more Simon Page here on Design Informer in the coming weeks. :)
Melody
January 10th, 2010 6:40 pmWow, that’s super cool..it almost looks like some kind of weaving art with string…
.-= Melody´s latest Blog Entry – TGISF!:Link Love for Jan 4-8th =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 1:12 amYes, I’m really captivated by this wallpaper. That’s why when I first saw it, I asked Simon if we can feature it here on Design Informer.
Peter Perfect
January 11th, 2010 4:32 amGreat, great, great stuff Simon – nice share!
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 12:55 pmThanks Peter. It’s really great to know that lots of people liked the wallpaper.
Jane...***I LOVE WEB DESIGN***
January 11th, 2010 7:21 amNicely Done. The effect is inspiring.
Thanks a lot for all these great tutorials!
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 12:55 pmYes, the effect is one of a kind. You’re welcome.
Denny
January 11th, 2010 4:21 pmI see an elephant….
Jad Limcaco
January 11th, 2010 6:08 pmYou do? Where? :)
Richie
January 12th, 2010 8:24 amWow.. simply amazing…. I would love to know, how he created the spiral thing… and 637 layers … that is simply unbelievable????
I am never going to forget this wallpaper in my life… Damn, I’ve got to learn how to play with colors like Simon and James…
Straight into my desktop wallpaper!!! Thanks a lot, Jad
.-= Richie´s latest Blog Entry – 25+ stunning examples of High Speed Photography =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 12th, 2010 12:21 pm637 layers is a lot, but most of them are duplicated layers. You’re right though, I still would love a step-by-step tutorial on how to create this wallpaper. I’m using it as my desktop wallpaper as well.
Simon Page
January 12th, 2010 1:19 pmCool to see that people are liking my wallpaper – thanks for featuring it
.-= Simon Page´s latest Blog Entry – Graphic design feature Computer Arts Projects =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 12th, 2010 1:33 pmNo problem Simon. I loved it and I just had to feature it. We should be the one thanking you for allowing us to post it here on Design Informer. :D
Denny
January 12th, 2010 2:00 pmJad, any chance of a tutorial on this?
Jad Limcaco
January 12th, 2010 2:07 pmI don’t think so. That’s all up to Simon if he wants to write a tutorial on it. ;)
Simon Page
January 12th, 2010 2:39 pmMega busy at the moment but I won’t rule it out.
.-= Simon Page´s latest Blog Entry – Graphic design feature Computer Arts Projects =-.
Jad Limcaco
January 12th, 2010 2:46 pmReally? That’s awesome! Maybe when you have the chance, please do it. We’d surely love to know how it’s done. Thanks Simon! (fingers crossed)
Iruna
January 13th, 2010 5:18 amThank you so much, Simon. I don’t mind waiting at all ♥ Please keep up the good work.
Jad Limcaco
January 13th, 2010 11:58 amI’ll definitely be waiting as well. :)
zanzu
January 12th, 2010 7:04 pmWow, what a great looking wallpaper! Thanks in advance Simon. Looking forward to the tutorial. :)
Jad Limcaco
January 13th, 2010 12:00 pmGlad you liked the wallpaper as well.
Cool Backgrounds
January 13th, 2010 4:43 amlove it!
Jad Limcaco
January 13th, 2010 12:00 pmThanks! We appreciate it. Everyone really seems to like it.
Iruna
January 13th, 2010 5:17 am637 layers? that’s amazing :)
I’d love to read Simon’s tutorial right away ♥ ♥ ♥ He’s so awesome !
Jad Limcaco
January 13th, 2010 11:59 amSame here Iruna. I know, 637 layers is insane!
Xqntor
January 15th, 2010 1:17 amMade me think of that : http://www.bf2d.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/dubfocus.gif
:D
Jad Limcaco
January 15th, 2010 10:49 amYeah, it’s slightly similar, but I agree with Timm’s comment below. ;)
Timm
January 15th, 2010 2:27 amThis is really great thanks for sharing.
@xqntor not really, unless you really squint your eyes, it’s no way near as good.
Jad Limcaco
January 15th, 2010 11:00 amHaha, that’s true. Squint Eyes (-_-)
s.bruett
January 16th, 2010 3:51 amFantastic wallpaper. Nice.
Kern
February 18th, 2010 1:11 amBravo! The black spot in the middle is the actual focal point, so the vivid color transitioning into the “black hole” suggests excitement in a multi dimensional sense.