Desktop Wallpaper Calendar: October 2011

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We always try our best to challenge your artistic abilities and produce some interesting, beautiful and creative artwork. And as designers we usually turn to different sources of inspiration. As a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one — desktop wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd. This creativity mission has been going on for over two years now, and we are very thankful to all designers who have contributed and are still diligently contributing each month.

We continue to nourish you with a monthly spoon of inspiration. This post features 28 free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe for October 2011. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free. It’s time to freshen up your wallpaper!

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 Calendar series. We are regularly looking for creative designers and artists to be featured on Smashing Magazine. Are you one of them?

Oct Deco

"Inspired by the granite work at Grand Central Station. I imagine this being an engraved tile on the floor as the sun sheds its last gleaming moments." Designed by Frank Candamil from USA.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Tribute To Lennon

"I decided to make a tribute to a great singer and peace keeper because my dad was a fan of John Lennon and the Beatles, and while I was a child I’ve consumed the art of music more then any other art! This work is also for school, and I expect to have a good final average and become a graduate graphic designer! Peace." Designed by Daniel Faria from Portugal.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Autumn Grunge

"Autumn Grunge is a simple wallpaper that is heavily textured and helps you to embrace the fall." Designed by Colin Whitehurst from Philippines.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

October Faces

"In a nice Sunday morning excursion I collected the most cute and fun natures presents of Autumn — chestnuts! With a spare pen drew faces on them for fun… and then, my idea was born! They are my October faces ;)." Designed by Alkminnie Nestoridou from Greece.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Halloween Spooky Background

"Spooky Cartoon Halloween wallpapers for October holidays with vintage texture." Designed by Benoit Chartron from France.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Singing Masters

"I found this passage long ago in a very old book of poetry. It brings to my mind the images of October — haunted graves, rusty iron gates, ravens, and bonfires." Designed by Heather St. Marie from USA.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Ghost Halloween

Designed by Tiago Santos from Portugal.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Save Water Drink Rain

Designed by Marika Smirnova from Russia.

Smashing Wallpaper - october 11

October Apples

"A simple beautiful photo for an elegant country-inspired desktop." Designed by Greyarea Snc from Italy.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Crystal Nature

"This October you can let your imagination guide you through places that never existed — or maybe they do exist behind our screens!" Designed by Isaac Zakar from Greece.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Frisbee Tribute

"I love frisbee. Spending time outdoors, on a sunny day, throwing the disk with a couple of good friends makes me very happy. This wallpaper is my tribute to the disk! :)." Designed by Danijel Gajan from Serbia.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Dark River

Designed by Michal Loboz from Poland.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Sweet Monster

"Happy sweet monster special for Smashing Magazine’s readers." Designed by Ryumina Elena from Russia.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Colours Of Dream

"October for ComoYoDsg is a month of changes. Just this month my Web site is changing colours and layout. I want to share it with you with these wallpapers that form a part of my new design. Enjoy it!" Designed by Comoyodsg By Dovi Vausk from Spain.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Design Is Life

"Design is Life with all its Patches & Shades in it. Design is so closely attached to everybody’s life with nature, lifestyle, fashion, trends and so many things around." Designed by Lucky from India.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Mushrooms

"Autumn is the mushroom season. Be vigilant. Do not abuse." Designed by Cheloveche.ru from Russia.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

This Is Halloween

"Scary bats and spiders, frightening skeletons, delicious candies and lollies and ominous black cats and carved pumpkins… All bundled up together and you have a perfect Halloween. Trick or treat!" Designed by Soraia Mendes from Portugal.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Spectral Splendor

"A wide array of spectral colors break open, this October!" Designed by Sureshsathanur from India.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Fallen Gold

"Elegant typography gracefully sits interlocked within a pile of golden autumnal leaves." Designed by Dave Hewer from UK.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Creepy October

Designed by Roland Szabó from Hungary.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Pale Docktober

Designed by Andreas Sofantzis from Greece.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Celebration

"The celebration wallpaper has flowers, sprinkles of vibrant colors and sparkles of fire crackers depicting Diwali on the 26th, the biggest festival of indians in the month of October brings in joy and happiness, peace and harmony." Designed by Hiren Rawal from India.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Autumn Retreat

"A simple autumn we’d all like to enjoy." Designed by Allen from USA.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Pretty Autumn

"”I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.”- Nathaniel Hawthorne”." Designed by Barney from Hungary.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

The Undertaker

"This is a photograph a “Felt Creature” that my sister made. I took this photo for her website and I thought it would make an excellent Halloween themed calendar for October!" Designed by Stuart Hamilton from Northern Ireland.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Chorapo’s Famous Stew And Tacos

"A typographic treat from your favourite October slashers!" Designed by Ryan From Embarkr from USA.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

King Sorrow

Designed by Ladell Bryson from USA.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

Limbostyle

"This is my tribute to the awesome and beautiful designed videogame “Limbo”. Enjoy and share if you like this drawing." Designed by Jonas Duri.

Free Desktop Wallpaper - October 2011

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 Favourite?

What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comment section below!

(il) (vf)

We love high-quality content and we care about little details. We believe that good content and design are crafts worth sharpening. Located in the lovely city of Freiburg, Germany. Mostly Vitaly (vf), Iris (il), Stephan (sp) and Sven (sl).

  1. 101

    Antonio Castan

    October 4th, 2011 12:32 pm

    King Sorrow (el mejor de todos) the best

    0
  2. 102

    Paula

    October 4th, 2011 6:58 pm

    I just love October’s wallpapers especially the “Autumn Retreat” wallpaper. It just gets you a great feeling (:

    +1
  3. 103

    Andrew Jhonson

    October 4th, 2011 7:55 pm

    All looks awesome…..great work :)

    0
  4. 104

    reb

    October 4th, 2011 9:33 pm

    Smashing collec!
    My fav: Oct Deco, Halloween Spooky Background

    0
  5. 105

    mad

    October 4th, 2011 10:17 pm

    they’re all beautiful, but my vote is for October Apples… i’m using it everywhere :)

    0
  6. 106

    Christy

    October 5th, 2011 1:12 am

    I like Crystal Nature and King Sorrow! Awesome!

    +1
  7. 107

    Laura

    October 5th, 2011 1:52 am

    I really don’t understand some people’s use of the Vote Up and Vote Down buttons for comments! It seems so arbitrary…

    -5
  8. 108

    Tia

    October 5th, 2011 8:02 am

    I love “This is Halloween”! It’s cute, whimsical and fun. It’s my wallpaper for the month. :) Thanks!!!

    0
  9. 109

    Kanchan Rai

    October 5th, 2011 9:21 am

    My favorite was the “Mushroom”. I don’t know why but I’m fascinated with these types of arts lately. the colors are so pleasing and the whole set is amazing. The owl behind the halloween costumed guy (or ghost) and the mushrooms are beautiful.

    Also, Russian designers are great man!! Maybe the effect of growing up in snow, but their works are very bright and clean. I really am a great fan of Russian Designers!!

    +1
  10. 110

    Katryn

    October 5th, 2011 10:46 am

    Interesting that so many of these are Halloween themed, even though most of the designers are not from the US. I didn’t realize it had spread so far! When I lived in the UK as a child 20 years ago, it was still a quite a novelty…

    As far as I can tell, “Celebration” is the only one that references Diwali, which is a shame, since that could have made for some beautiful images!

    0
    • 111

      TheAL

      October 13th, 2011 1:50 pm

      I’m also glad to see this. I submitted a Halloween wall last year, as did others, but a lot of the comments seemed to be disappointed that the holiday was given so much preferential treatment. So, this time around, I made a brighter autumn-centric wall. And Halloween now seems to be more popular than ever. I’m glad. It’s my favorite holiday. ;-)

      0
  11. 112

    Zaur

    October 5th, 2011 11:52 am

    So strange and mysterious….
    October isn’t so dark! October is a sunny month with little clouds and yellow leafs…

    I don’t like this october wallpapers smashingmag post.

    0
  12. 113

    Rose

    October 5th, 2011 7:00 pm

    There are some pretty ones this month. I went with Autumn Grunge because a) I want a grid calendar with Sunday on the left, and b) it’s gorgeous.

    0
  13. 114

    muhammad kamal

    October 5th, 2011 10:00 pm

    thank you in first and i want download all wallpaper in one file i saw its easy and i saw it can be monthly too very easy.
    tanks for all.

    0
  14. 115

    Hikari

    October 6th, 2011 7:35 am

    Thanks for share great articles.I love “This is Halloween”! It’s cute, whimsical and fun. It’s my wallpaper for the month. :)

    0
  15. 116

    Melanie Gaspard

    October 6th, 2011 10:06 am

    I LOVE Singing Masters!! It totally embodies the spirit of October for me!! And October has always been my favorite month of the year!! Great contest idea!

    +2
  16. 117

    Abhijit Aitwade

    October 7th, 2011 12:36 am

    Thanks! its cool and nice!

    0
  17. 118

    Rafe

    October 7th, 2011 8:34 am

    What, no BEER?

    0
  18. 119

    Ana Pereira

    October 7th, 2011 10:30 am

    Cellebration and Dark River.

    0
  19. 120

    gong

    October 8th, 2011 12:42 am

    Design Is Life–love this!

    0
  20. 121

    sybille

    October 9th, 2011 10:15 am

    nice autum pics, i like it!!!

    0
  21. 122

    Meeya

    October 9th, 2011 8:18 pm

    Thank you guys for share those beautiful pictures..

    I really like October apples and celebration..

    But If I have to chose one is Celebration..

    0
  22. 123

    Jana

    October 10th, 2011 4:26 am

    Much better selection this month! Great job :)

    0
  23. 124

    Marie Elisa

    October 10th, 2011 6:28 am

    I liked Autumn Grunge, Frisbee Tribute and Spectral.

    0
  24. 125

    dbtchob

    October 10th, 2011 6:11 pm

    Autumn Grunge is my favorite!

    0
  25. 126

    nikunj andharia

    October 10th, 2011 9:06 pm

    picture of calendar is very nice. and fell it is real picture.

    0
  26. 127

    Jose

    October 11th, 2011 3:07 am

    my favorite is Crystal Nature

    +1
  27. 128

    Xeni

    October 14th, 2011 2:01 am

    Wow, I am amazed! There are some really amazing ones! I love all the cute cartoon-y halloween themed ones! The mushroom one especially is great! :D Thanks all you artists!

    0
  28. 129

    Carissa

    October 14th, 2011 5:04 pm

    This month I had a hard time deciding because they are so many great choices! I LOVE Colours Of Dream. Great work everyone!

    +1
  29. 130

    Danielle

    October 15th, 2011 12:42 pm

    Fallen Gold is on my main laptop and Colours Of Dream is going on my netbook! I just love what the artist did with Fallen Gold…it’s perfect!

    0
  30. 131

    Gaby

    October 21st, 2011 10:46 am

    I like Fallen Gold, thank you!

    0
  31. 132

    Jen98A

    October 22nd, 2011 5:41 pm

    Late to the party – but I love Mushroom, Autumn Gold, and Autumn Grunge. Although I also like all the Halloween themes. I’m a sucker for US holiday themes.

    0
  32. 133

    efi

    October 23rd, 2011 10:40 am

    Bravo Andrea for Pale Docktober!!!!

    +1
  33. 134

    Lawrence

    October 23rd, 2011 2:10 pm

    I love them! :) but some of them don’t have the days? which makes it a bit useless though pretty.

    0
  34. 135

    Kardos

    October 26th, 2011 4:55 pm

    果然是十月,抽象+忧郁,喜欢Dark River

    0
  35. 136

    Vpanda

    October 27th, 2011 6:40 am

    Thanks so much <3

    0
  36. 137

    Carmen

    October 30th, 2011 8:46 pm

    What font was used for the Singing Masters?

    All are great!

    0
  37. 138

    Carmen

    October 30th, 2011 8:51 pm

    What font was used for the Singing Masters?

    All are great!

    0
  38. 139

    gdas

    October 31st, 2011 3:33 am

    When will be new wallpapers for november?

    0

  1. 1

    GreyArea

    September 30th, 2011 5:06 am

    WOW!! Our first calendar pubblication!!
    Thanks a lot Smashing! :D

    +12
  2. 2

    Dhaval Shah

    September 30th, 2011 4:51 am

    I like Celebration, beautiful!

    +11
  3. 3

    Danijel Gajan

    September 30th, 2011 5:21 am

    This is my first publication and I am very excited :D Thank you for choosing my wallpaper and congratulations too all the designers!

    +11
  4. 4

    Roland Szabó

    September 30th, 2011 4:53 am

    Thanks for sharing my work titled Creepy October! All the other contestors’ calendars are super-cool! Smash on, Guys! =)

    +9
  5. 5

    Silverallrise

    October 2nd, 2011 12:40 am

    I like all of wallpapers above, but I love Crystal Nature wallpaper most. And then I like Ghost Halloween and Mushrooms ^^ I will use one of these wallpapers to my WordPress soon ^^

    +7
  6. 6

    Ritika

    September 30th, 2011 5:45 am

    Wow. Smashing mag is back i guess, Pale Docktober, Autumn Retreat and Fallen Gold are the best

    +6
  7. 7

    Isaac Zakar

    October 1st, 2011 3:09 pm

    My own design is Crystal Nature and I also love Mushrooms, Celebration and Autumn Retreat. Congrats to all! : )

    +4
  8. 8

    Frank

    September 30th, 2011 11:09 am

    Wow, this really turned my day around. Oct Deco is my first submission and I look forward to more in the future. Was a pleasure to make and hope it’s just enough spook for the season.

    +4
  9. 9

    Colin Whitehurst

    September 30th, 2011 6:31 am

    Wow, great to be added on here! I especially loved all of the other designs, great work everybody!

    Limbostyle is by far my favorite one on here! It goes great with the theme while doing something original and not expected! Well played!

    +4
  10. 10

    neha

    September 30th, 2011 8:44 pm

    Pale Docktober is amazing! definitely my favourite :)

    +3
  11. 11

    Niki

    September 30th, 2011 5:27 pm

    When i saw the Pale Docktober,i said to my self…this is my home…Greece…and i was right .Andrea bravo!

    +3
  12. 12

    TheAL

    September 30th, 2011 4:20 pm

    Another October has come! Thanks again for including my submission, Autumn Retreat. Last year I went with a blatantly Halloween wallpaper, but it seemed as though many people were unhappy that the holiday was shown so much favoritism. This year I wanted to be neutral and make something just for those who love the fall season.

    +3
  13. 13

    Charapo

    September 30th, 2011 12:29 pm

    Ryan thank you for being such a loyal customer of my stew and taco truck. Please build Tom a collection of tutorials on your designs and in return I give you a coupon for 1 free taco and 1 free small cup of stew. Thanks, your friend Charapo.

    +3
  14. 14

    Ryan Northway

    September 30th, 2011 7:55 am

    Ha i know right, better with all first names or all last names…But those were the names i typed out and just rolled with it

    +3
  15. 15

    KJS

    September 30th, 2011 7:10 am

    Thanks for sharing, i like Limbostyle !)

    +3
  16. 16

    Katie

    September 30th, 2011 6:31 am

    Some really great ones this month! I can’t ever pick… so I have a few on loop. New one every day! Love Autumn Retreat and Spooky Halloween Background the best.

    +3
  17. 17

    beth opel

    September 30th, 2011 6:06 am

    best collection in a long time! many great seasonal choices. thanks!

    +3
  18. 18

    Tiago Santos

    September 30th, 2011 5:38 am

    Thank you for this opportunity was my first participation thank you for choosing my wallpaper :D

    Best regards

    +3
  19. 19

    S.

    September 30th, 2011 5:31 am

    Hard to choose, as usual:D But for personal reasons for this month I choose Creepy October-I’ll have a lot of stress during next few weeks, and I need a little pick me up. I think Creepy October does that for me:) Thank you SM and congrats to all the artists, I think you did an amazing job and I really respect your talents.

    +3
  20. 20

    cablebabe

    October 1st, 2011 7:05 am

    “October Faces” jumped out at me and I can’t decide which little face I love the most! As another commenter stated, Smashing is back! The best collection in a few months has come together for October. “The Undertaker” looks absolutely awesome and I will probably set it up as Halloween draws near. Kudos to “Ghost Halloween” and “Halloween Spooky Background” : they are also great contributions.

    +3
  21. 21

    Michele

    September 30th, 2011 1:47 pm

    My favorites are: Tribute & Oct Deco

    +2
  22. 22

    Melly

    October 1st, 2011 5:52 pm

    All the Halloween themed ones get my vote.

    That little felt creature is adorable…props to the sister.

    There were quite a few non-Halloween ones that I’ll also be using.

    Too bad there isn’t a way to download all 28 at once!

    +2
  23. 23

    feejaysee

    October 3rd, 2011 6:15 am

    Autumn Retreat is great.

    +2
  24. 24

    Melanie Gaspard

    October 6th, 2011 10:06 am

    I LOVE Singing Masters!! It totally embodies the spirit of October for me!! And October has always been my favorite month of the year!! Great contest idea!

    +2
  25. 25

    Dee

    September 30th, 2011 9:16 am

    October Faces and October Apples gets my votes. Thanks!

    +2
  26. 26

    JennyK

    September 30th, 2011 8:16 am

    I love the Apple’s one too! It’s ok for a good usage of desktop.

    +2
  27. 27

    Roland Szabó

    September 30th, 2011 8:12 am

    Hey! I’m super-glad that you like my Calendars this much! Cheers! ;)

    +2
  28. 28

    Michael Neil

    September 30th, 2011 7:57 am

    Nice to see a nod to the scary guys. I love the one from Ryan by Embarkr for that reason. Overall these are much better quality than last months I think.

    +2
  29. 29

    Andy

    September 30th, 2011 7:59 am

    Not sure that it’d be ‘better’ necessarily, just wondered if there had been a reason for it.

    Can’t blame you for rolling with it, top notch wallpaper! One of my favourites of all time.

    +2
  30. 30

    David

    September 30th, 2011 6:23 am

    That Oct Deco is CLASSIC, can the author reup without OCTOBER letters? thnx in advance!

    +2

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