Be Kind, Be Curious (November 2020 Wallpapers Edition)

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Templates, Freebies, Wallpapers
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Cosima has been an editor at SmashingMag since 2013. Whenever she’s not writing articles for the weekly Smashing Newsletter, she’s probably working on a … More about Cosima ↬

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Give your desktop a makeover with this new collection of wallpapers. Designed by the community for the community, the wallpapers come in versions with and without a calendar for November 2020. Since so many beautiful and inspiring designs have seen the light of day as a part of this ongoing series, we browsed through our archives on the look for November goodies from the past. You’ll find a selection of almost-forgotten favorites compiled at the end of this post. Enjoy!

A bit of colorful inspiration is always a good thing, don’t you think so? Especially in November when the days tend to be rather gray and misty in a lot of parts of the world. To bring a splash of color and some positive vibes to your desktops and home screens, creative folks from all across the globe once again fired up their favorite design tools and created unique wallpapers to welcome the new month.

This monthly tradition has been going on for many years now, and we are very thankful to everyone who has put their creative skills to the test and contributed their artworks to it — back in the early days, just like today.

The wallpapers in this collection all come in versions with and without a calendar for November 2020 and can be downloaded for free. And since so many beautiful and inspiring designs have seen the light of day as a part of this ongoing series, we browsed through our archives on the look for November goodies from the past. You’ll find a selection of almost-forgotten favorites compiled at the end of this post. Enjoy!

All images can be clicked on and lead to the preview of the wallpaper,
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 through 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.

Submit your wallpaper

Did you know that you could get featured in one of our upcoming wallpapers posts, too? We are always looking for creative talent, so if you have an idea for a wallpaper for December, please don’t hesitate to submit it. We’d love to see what you’ll come up with. Join in! →

November Rain

“Is there anything more romantic than watching the sunset with your loved one while listening to the beat of the November rain falling around you?” - Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

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with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

African Landscape

preview
with calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1600x900
without calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1366x768, 1600x900

Einstein

“When Wikipedia says you ‘influenced virtually all modern physics’, it’s probably a big deal, right? That’s why we dedicate our November calendar issue to Albert Einstein, who, on November 9, 1921, won the Nobel Prize for Physics. Among over 300 scientific papers published during his half-a-century-long career, Einstein formulated theories such as general and special relativity, photoelectric effect, mass-energy equivalence, EPR paradox, and many more. Of course, ‘the world’s most famous equation’, E = mc2, had to find its place in our cartoony design.” - Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Summer Vibes Starting Down Under

“Spring was a little late all the way down in middle earth, but it’s warming up nicely and the summer breeze is rolling in lazily over our pristine coastlines — so here’s to celebrating a vibey summer down under!” - Designed by Kay from New Zealand.

preview
with calendar: 750x1334, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 750x1334, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Insomnia

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with calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 3840x2160
without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 3840x2160

Sleep Comfort Month

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with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

The Water Is Wide

“It’s all a matter of perspective.” - Designed by Hannah Joy Patterson from South Carolina, USA.

preview
with calendar: 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1920, 1366x768, 1366x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1280, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2736x1824, 3000x2000
without calendar: 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1920, 1366x768, 1366x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1280, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2736x1824, 3000x2000

Oldies But Goodies

World Kindness Day, a bright woolen plaid on a rainy day, autumn storms, and a curious squirrel — these are just a few of the things that inspired the design community to design a November wallpaper in the past years. Are you up for a trip down memory lane? Here are some November favorites from our archives. (Please note that these wallpapers don’t come with a calendar.)

Colorful Autumn

“Autumn can be dreary, especially in November, when rain starts pouring every day. We wanted to summon better days, so that’s how this colourful November calendar was created. Open your umbrella and let’s roll!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

The Kind Soul

“Kindness drives humanity. Be kind. Be humble. Be humane. Be the best of yourself!” — Designed by Color Mean Creative Studio from Dubai.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Don’t Let Gray Win

“Let’s take extra care of colors during the autumn months. November might be gray and rainy. Outside. Don’t let it inside. Take a good book, prepare a hot ginger tea, and cover your knees with a bright woolen plaid.” - Designed by Tartanify from France.

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without calendar: 1280x720, 1440x900, 1440x1024, 2560x1440, 2880x1800, 2880x2048

International Civil Aviation Day

“On December 7, we mark International Civil Aviation Day, celebrating those who prove day by day that the sky really is the limit. As the engine of global connectivity, civil aviation is now, more than ever, a symbol of social and economic progress and a vehicle of international understanding. This monthly calendar is our sign of gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to enabling everyone to reach their dreams.” - Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Me And The Key Three

“This wallpaper is based on screenshots from my latest browser game (I’m an indie games designer).” — Designed by Bart Bonte from Belgium.

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without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

No Shave Movember

“The goal of Movember is to ‘change the face of men’s health.’” — Designed by Suman Sil from India.

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without calendar: 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Universal Children’s Day

“Universal Children’s Day, 20 November. It feels like a dream world, it invites you to let your imagination flow, see the details, and find the child inside you.” - Designed by Luis Costa from Portugal.

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without calendar: 1366x768, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Welcome November

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without calendar: 360x640, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080

Tempestuous November

“By the end of autumn, ferocious Poseidon will part from tinted clouds and timid breeze. After this uneven clash, the sky once more becomes pellucid just in time for imminent luminous snow.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

The Most Productive Month

“Working hard or hardly working? What will your work stats look like in November?” Designed by Photo Stats from Sweden.

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without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Curious Squirrel

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without calendar: 320x480, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Simple Leaves

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 2560x1440

Moonlight Bats

“I designed some Halloween characters and then this idea came to my mind — a bat family hanging around in the moonlight. A cute and scary mood is just perfect for autumn.” — Designed by Carmen Eisendle from Germany.

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without calendar: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1260, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

Coffee And Sweets

“The cold, almost winter weather. So nice to have a cup of hot coffee and some sweets.” — Designed by Karetina Irina from the Russian Federation.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2880x1800

We Are All The Same Inside

“No man’s your enemy. No man’s your slave. My blood is the same as yours, so why must we hurt our brothers and sisters when we are all the same? Believe in love, it will show wonders.” — Designed by Faheem Nistar from Dubai.

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without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Hold On

“We have to acknowledge that some things are inevitable, like winter. Let’s try to hold on until we can, and then embrace the beautiful season.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

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without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

Sailing Sunwards

“There’s some pretty rough weather coming up these weeks. Thinking about November makes me want to keep all the warm thoughts in mind. I’d like to wish everyone a cozy winter.” — Designed by Emily Trbl. Kunstreich from Germany.

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without calendar: 320x480, 720x1280, 1024x768, 1080x1920, 1280x720, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Deer Fall, I Love You!

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without calendar: 320x480, 800x600, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 2560x1440

Music From Nature

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without calendar: 360x640, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080