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 August 2010?

Superstar

“Has “the man” got you down? Feel like nobody sees what a superstar you are? Well keep on shining all day long with this retro-tastic wallpaper!” Designed by Brennan Gilbert from USA.

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

Viktoria

“A little wallpaper for all the Germany supporters during the World Cup.” Designed by Ricky Linn from USA.

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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

Aves Lacuna

Designed by Kyle Wheaton from Buffalo, NY, 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

Symbian World

“Scene from Symbian World.” Designed by Anna Alfut from UK.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2048×1152
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2048×1152

Piranha fishing

“Gone fishing in my little row boat.” Designed by Natalia Shishina from Russia.

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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

Simple Beauty

Designed by Dovydas Vystartas from Lithuania.

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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

Photography

“Hello from Singapore! This photograph was taken when I was walking along The Orchard Street, where you can find lots and lots of luxury goods. Hope you guys like this colorful wallpaper - Enjoy!” Designed by Juanita Ooi from London, UK (Originally Malaysia).

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Strawberry

“I love this work!” Designed by Agnieszka Pluskota from Poland.

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

August Sentense

“Just motivating sentence for August :)” Designed by Temeshi from Poland.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

A Square Meal

“It’s August and we love picnics — it’s a great way to get your friends together and enjoy the weather! Being an integrated marketing agency, we know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts… in marketing AND in sandwiches! These orange creatures are here to remind you to never forget the finishing touches and that no sandwich is too big-you can always use a ladder!” Designed by thunder::tech from USA.

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

Girls Just Want To Have Fun

“Inspired by Cindy Lauper’s famous song.” Designed by Irene from Spain.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1920×1200

Summers Freedom

“A photograph to express sheer freedom a lot of people experience at the height of summer — “Summers Freedom” — in this case, the two enjoying a summers evening are Sasha Bell and Rosanna Bell” Designed by Olivia Bell from England, UK.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1600

Photography

“This photograph was taken in the beginning of 2010, when I was enjoying my winter holiday in London. I believe all of you knew that the winter temperature dropped a lot this year — freezing and raining all day long! I was lucky enough to sense a short few hours of sunny day in the winter.” Designed by Juanita Ooi from London, UK (Originally Malaysia).

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

The Salt March

“August 15th is India’s Independence Day. Depicted here is the Salt March of 1930 which triggered the Freedom Movement in India. The Salt Satyagraha campaign was based upon Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent protest called satyagraha, which he loosely translated as “truth-force.” Jai Hind!” Designed by Pixel Pundits from India.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

México 1963

“Harmonious life in México City in the 60’s.” Designed by Aki from México.

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

Hot Balloons

“August is one of the hottest months of the year. August is melting.” Designed by Kari Andresen from USA.

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

I Hate Mondays

“Mondays are a freelancer’s nightmare. I’ve always wanted to cry out in all despair “I Hate Mondays!” Anger! Despair! Rivers of fire! Damnation! Let them all out for all the world to hear and see!” Designed by Bogdan Lazar from Romania.

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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

Come Sail Away

“Fillmore-style illustration featuring the lyrics to Styx’s song “Come Sail Away”” Designed by Allison Doty from USA.

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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

Love knows no bounds

“The message of this wallpaper is Love knows no bounds. Race, age, sex, (level in the food chain :)) it all doesn’t matter as long as you love each other. My boyfriend is 16 years older then me and some people just think we’re not supposed to be together because of the age difference. Next week we’ll have our 9 year anniversary… So for the cat and the mouse: as long as the heart is bigger then the hunger, they’ll be fine. “ Designed by Nicole Bauer from Germany.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 960×640, 480×320
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 960×640, 480×320

SinGiNg SuNFloWeR

Designed by Pietje Precies from The Netherlands.

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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

Cherry

“I love this work!” Designed by Agnieszka Pluskota from Poland.

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

Cows

“Hopefully this August you’ll have some time to take a drive/bike ride through the countryside. If not, here’s a typical highway view from my part of the world. Maybe it will inspire you to get outside and enjoy the August weather, or at least do some cow tipping.” Designed by Dan Sweet from USA.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

Chocolate Dream

Designed by Sasha Bell from England, UK.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Summer Cat

Designed by Marina Nozyer from Russia.

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• with calendar: 1152×864, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 1152×864, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1920×1440

Happy Independence Day

“15th August is the only important day in August for us to celebrate (Indians), so I decided to create a desktop wallpaper on the same theme. I hope you all will enjoy it. “HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY” 2 all the Indians.” Designed by Meghna Sharma 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

Focus Footprints

“Maybe some abstract sort of meadows? Maybe some abstract sort of meadows?” Designed by Philipp Lehmann from Switzerland.

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

Glowing Dark August

Designed by Vincius Ervilha from Brazil.

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• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1600

Climate Change

Adopted from Marek Denko’s work by Luciana Passaro from Italy.

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• with calendar: 480×320, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 480×320, 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1600

Sleep. Surf.

“Peak of the summer gives you endless opportunities do sleep late, miss all the cooked meals featuring healthy vegetables, go offline and just hit the water. Peak of the summer is the reason of calendar absence. Ignore the clock and be good at it. Longboard models courtesy of Nunosk8.” Designed by Antonio Hadrovic from Croatia.

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

Nature’s Dream

“Nature’s Dream wallpapers created with Scribbler Tool and Photoshop.” Designed by Silvia Bukovac Gasevic.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Leaves in The Rain

“A fresh green leave to keep you going without getting unorganized! Good morning.” Designed by Melle Wynia from The Netherlands.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1600

One Mad Cookie

“August has always seemed like a month of strange & creative thoughts for me, so whenI recently read that August 4th was National Chocolate Chip day I couldn’t help my mindfrom pandering thoughts of cookies with personalities. I thought if I was a cookie Iwould probably be pretty upset if someone took a big bite out of me, so I decided toexpress this in my design.” Designed by Jennie Waterous 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

Splash

Designed by Emily Shirley 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

Watch out for sharks

“Inspired while playing with Photoshop vectors, for all of you who like minimalism and blue. Oh, and don’t get eaten by a shark while you are enjoying your vacation.” Designed by Lucijan Blagoni from Croatia.

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• with calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Into the Hole

Designed by Manish Jinwal from India.

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

Color Emotions

Designed by Gints Stikans from Latvia.

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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

Do we need to say more?

“August, as the summer is at its high most in the northern hemisphere, most people go out for vacation (at least in the US). So, do we need to say more?” Designed by Phidev Inc. from USA.

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• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1920×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1920×1200, 1920×1440

Geometric Summer

“This is how I see my summer. Simple, geometrical, layered, yet full of color: beach = sand + sea + sun. Cheers from Spain and have a great summer ;-)” Designed by Antonio Bustamante Mirayo from Spain.

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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

Freedom

“August 15th marks a wonderful day in the history. India, the largest democratic country in the world got freedom from British invasion. It was 1947 when our great freedom fighters got us the ever lasting success and made our lives flourish forever. Since that day, August 15th of every year is celebrated as Independence Day in India.” Designed by Neelam Asrani from India.

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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

This too shall pass (Persian Calligraphy)

““In niz bogzarad” means This too shall pass , life is like that…” Designed by Soodabeh Amirakbari from Iran.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

Smashing Team

“A simple tribute to Smashing Magazine’s team.” Designed by Kalyne Nobrega from Brasil.

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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

The King Of Pop

“Michael Jackson inspired a lot of people, especially all of us here at Bright Oak? Creative Studio. His birthday falls on the 29th and so we dedicate this Smashing Magazine wallpaper to him and all of his fans around the world. Happy Birthday Michael!” Designed by Bright Oak from USA & Switzerland.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 2560×1600

Independence Day

“15th august is the independence day of India so I am showing few heroes who sacrificed their lives for their motherland. There are endless number of men and women other than I have shown in the wallpaper. The wallpaper I have designed is a Tribute to all our freedom fighters.” Designed by Aditya L from India.

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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

Over the Bridge

“Sometimes we are so close to fulfill our dreams that it only takesa few more steps to finally reach them.” Designed by Jany from Italy.

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

Sunscreen Novice

“Avoid black in summer.“Avoid black in summer.”” Designed by Kate Jones from UK.

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

Freedom

“Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves.” Designed by Pooja Taneja from India.

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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

The Traveller

Designed by Surreal Illusions from England, UK.

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• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200

Watching Universe Twirl

Designed by Andrei Verner from Russia.

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• with calendar: 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600
• without calendar: 1024×640, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1680×1050, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1600

Sand Between My Toes

“It’s still pretty hot in the UK, but after reading comments in July’s wallpaper feature, I picked up that in Australia, it’s “winter” - so I thought why not try to do a beach shot which can be interrupted and doesn’t scream “summer”! I hope you like this simple beach shot - hopefully a nice change! Ps. the legs in this shot belong to Rosanna Bell ;) Happy August!” Designed by Olivia Bell from England, UK.

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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

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 August, folks!