Brighten Up Someone’s May (2020 Wallpapers Edition)

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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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As designers, we usually turn to different sources of inspiration, and, well, as a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one: wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd.

May is here! And even though the current situation makes this a different kind of May, with a new routine and different things on our minds as in the years before, luckily some things never change. Like the fact that we start into the new month with some fresh inspiration.

Since more than nine years already, we challenge you, the design community, to get creative and produce wallpaper designs for our monthly posts. No matter if you’re into lettering, illustration, or photography, the wallpapers are an opportunity to create a small artwork and share it with people across the globe — to inspire them, to make them smile, or just to cater for some beautiful eye candy.

In this collection, you’ll find their wallpapers for May 2020. They come in versions with and without a calendar and can be downloaded for free. As a bonus goodie, we also added some favorites from our archives at the end of the post — because, well, some things are just too good to be forgotten. A big thank-you to everyone who participated this time around! 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 design, please don’t hesitate to submit it. Join in! →

Today, Yesterday, Or Tomorrow

“During the last few months we have experienced significant and profound changes in our lifestyle and work habits due to the pandemic. One of the most signifcant changes is how we relate to time. Our day to day blurs as we try to make the best of this situation while hoping for a better tomorrow. While working on my daily lettering practice, I lost track of time and thought what day is it today? From there, I wondered if it was today, yesterday, or tomorrow. The rest followed as I kept thinking how time and routine or the new routine of being home blurs the days for each of us.” — Designed by Alma Hoffmann from the United States.

Today, Yesterday, Or Tomorrow
## Spring Is In The Air

“Spring is the most inspiring time of the year, so I’ve decided to create this wallpaper to celebrate this beautiful season.” — Designed by Hristina Hristova from Bulgaria.

Spring Is In The Air
## Fly Into Spring

“Spring is the season of new beginnings. I wanted to create something that represents what spring is to me. Right now the sky is full of birds flying and singing. I used that as inspiration for my wallpaper design.” — Designed by Raeanne Seliga from the United States.

Fly Into Spring
## Hope Shakes The Branches

“The promise of the return of spring feels normal in our new strange and abnormal world.” — Designed by Jeffrey Berg from the United States.

Hope Shakes The Branches
## Under The Night Sky

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Under The Night Sky
## Stay Safe And Don’t Hoard!

“Let’s try to make the best of this situation and have a laugh every now and then!” — Designed by Westie Vibes from Portugal.

Stay Safe And Don’t Hoard!
## Social Distancing

“Unfortunately, this sunny May, we have to think about some things that keep us from enjoying the sun-bathed spring with our loved ones. That is why the theme of this month’s wallpaper is the social distancing that will help us save our Castle Earth from the ferocious dragon that is Coronavirus. Stay safe and healthy and enjoy spring responsibly.” — Designed by LibraFire from Serbia.

Social Distancing
## National Nurses Day

“There’s never been a more important time to recognize and pay thanks to the incredible job that nurses do day in and day out. They are at the frontline of keeping us all safe. We pay thanks and solute you heroes!” — Designed by Ever Increasing Circles from the United Kingdom.

National Nurses Day
## Love Yourself

“As the world is facing time self-quarantining, everyone is facing changes. Your body is taking care of you, as it always has and always will. Sometimes, I need to remind myself to love my body. But it’s important, now and always to love yourself. I designed this wallpaper as a reminder to continue loving yourself and spread the message about body positivity.” — Designed by Autumn Bohner from the United States.

Love Yourself
## Green

“Green is the color of hope and hope is what we need in these troubling times. I’m a Belgian mobile game designer and this design comes from my latest mobile puzzle game.” — Designed by Bart Bonte from Belgium.

Green
## Oldies But Goodies

Some things are just too good to gather dust somewhere down in the archives. So may we present: a selection of May favorites from past years. Maybe you’ll spot one of your almost-forgotten favorites in there, too? (Please note that these designs don’t come with a calendar.)

Make A Wish

Designed by Julia Versinina from Chicago, USA.

Make A Wish
### Spring Gracefulness

“We don’t usually count the breaths we take, but observing nature in May, we can’t count our breaths being taken away.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.

Abstract illustration of a swan.
### Lake Deck

“I wanted to make a big painterly vista with some mountains and a deck and such.” — Designed by Mike Healy from Australia.

Illustration of a beautiful lake landscape as seen through the open flap of a roof top tent.
### Enjoy May!

“Springtime, especially Maytime is my favorite time of the year. And I like popsicles — so it’s obvious isn’t it?” — Designed by Steffen Weiß from Germany.

The wallpaper reads ‘Enjoy May’. The word May is made up of popsicles.
### Sweet Lily Of The Valley

“The ‘lily of the valley’ came earlier this year. In France, we celebrate the month of May with this plant.” — Designed by Philippe Brouard from France.

Sweet lily-of-the-valley
### Birds Of May

“A little-known ‘holiday’ on May 4th known as ‘Bird Day’. It is the first holiday in the United States celebrating birds. Hurray for birds!” — Designed by Clarity Creative Group from Orlando, FL.

Illustration of four flying birds.
### Geo

Designed by Amanda Focht from the United States.

Geo
### Welcome May With An Ice Cream!

“May is the last month of spring, the weather is getting hotter every day and it starts to feel almost like summer… So, the best thing to cool ourselves and bring summer closer is to… welcome May with an ice cream!” — Designed by WebOlution from Greece.

Welcome May With An Ice Cream!
### Understand Yourself

“Sunsets in May are the best way to understand who you are and where you are heading. Let’s think more!” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

Understand Yourself
### Poppies Paradise

Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

Poppies Paradise
### May The Force Be With You

“Yoda is my favorite Star Wars character and ‘may’ has funny double meaning.” — Designed by Antun Hirsman from Croatia.

May The Force Be With You
### Rainy Days

“Winter is nearly here in my part of the world and I think rainy days should be spent at home with a good book!” — Designed by Tazi Design from Australia.

Rainy Days
### Add Color To Your Life!

“This month is dedicated to flowers, to join us and brighten our days giving a little more color to our daily life.” — Designed by Verónica Valenzuela from Spain.

Add Color To Your Life!
### MonkGolfier

“We recently changed our workplace and now we’re in a windy place, so we like the idea of flying in the air, somehow.” — Designed by Monk Software from Italy.

MonkGolfier
### April Showers Bring Magnolia Flowers

“April and May are usually when everything starts to bloom, especially the magnolia trees. I live in an area where there are many and when the wind blows, the petals make it look like snow is falling.” — Designed by Sarah Masucci from the United States.

Drawing of Magnolia petals dancing in the air.
### Power

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

Power
### Winter Is Over

Designed by Uxue Goikoetxea from Spain.

Winter is Over
### Cool As An Octopus

“A fear I need to conquer inspired this wallpaper design. I never really liked the ocean because of how much we don’t know about it or anything that lives in it. However, I have decided to try and focus on the beautiful parts of this great unknown by choosing an octopus.” — Designed by Alexandra Covaleski from the United States.

Cool As An Octopus
## 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.

Thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!

The Smashing Cat exploring new insights, at Smashing Workshops, of course.

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