The new year is an occasion to start things fresh, to rethink current practices and habits. So why not start small? Clean up your desktop and give it an inspiring new background. We might have something for you: desktop wallpapers created by artists and designers from across the globe as a part of our monthly desktop wallpapers challenge.

This post features their artwork for January 2016. Each wallpaper is available with and without a calendar and can be downloaded for free. Thanks to everyone who contributed their designs! And a happy 2016 to all!

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

Pop, Fizz, Clink

“I wanted to try my hand at creating a low poly illustration and thought a champagne glass would be fun.” — Designed by Denise Johnson from Chicago.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1200
• without calendar: 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1920x1200

Go Bananas!

“It’s the year of the monkey, and I wanted to kick start the year with some simple, good ol’ fashioned fun. Sock monkeys, with their iconic grin, always make me laugh. Go bananas!” — Designed by Clarise Frechette from Washington, DC, United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 320x480, 376x668, 415x737, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440
• without calendar: 320x480, 376x668, 415x737, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Dare To Be You

“The new year brings new opportunities for each of us to become our true selves. I think that no matter what you are — like this little monster — you should dare to be the true you without caring what others may think. Happy New Year!” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.

• preview
• with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 640x1136, 750x1334, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1242x2208, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2880x1800
• without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 640x1136, 750x1334, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1242x2208, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2880x1800

The Way To Get Started

“January is all about renewing efforts and making plans, but sometimes we need little reminders that plans don’t matter if you don’t do anything about them. Initially, I was inspired by the idea of a fresh sheet of paper, which became the background for some great words from Walt Disney.” — Designed by Resa Barillas from the United States.

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

Back To Relax... Not For The Monkey

“Santa Claus is going to relax (till next Christmas) and everybody is returning to work, even the monkey for the Chinese calendar.” — Designed by Dan Di from Italy.

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

When One Door Closes, Another Opens!

“The name of January is derived from the Roman god “Janus”. Janus is the god of beginnings, transitions and doorways. His first face faces the past, and his other one faces the future; the new year of 2016!” — Designed by Lorens Huculak from Belgium.

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

All That Belongs To The Past

“Sometimes new beginnings make us revisit our favourite places or people from the past. We don’t visit them often because they remind us of the past but enjoy the brief reunion. Cheers to new beginnings in the new year!” — Designed by Dorvan Davoudi from Canada.

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

Mountain Island

Designed by Monia Gabhi from Canada.

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

Colorful January

Designed by Nathalie from France.

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• with calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1200x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 2560x1440
• without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1200x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

Oaken January

“In our country, Christmas is celebrated in January when oak branches and leaves are burnt to symbolize the beginning of the New Year and new life. It’s the time when we gather with our families and celebrate the arrival of the new year in a warm and cuddly atmosphere.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

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

White Mountains

“In Central Europe, we’ve had a very warm beginning of winter. I hope there will be lots of powder for snowboarding soon. I’d love to see the French Alps again as white as in 2015 when I took this photo.” — Designed by Annika Oeser from Germany.

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

Snowy Octopus

Designed by Karolina Palka from Poland.

• preview
• with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1920x1080, 2560x1440, 1366x768
• without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1920x1080, 2560x1440, 1366x768

Robin Bird

“I have chosen this little bird in honor of my grandfather, who passed away three years ago. He was fascinated by nature, especially birds. Because of him, I also have a fascination with birds. When I think of winter, I think of the birds, flying around searching for food. And why a robin? Because it is a cute little bird, who is also very recognizable.” — Designed by Engin Seline from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200
• without calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200

Peaceful Mountains

“When all the festivities are over, all we want is some peace and rest. That’s why I made this simple flat art wallpaper with peaceful colors.” — Designed by Jens Gilis from Belgium.

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

Wolf-Month

“Wolf-month (in Dutch “wolfsmaand”) is another name for January.” — Designed by Chiara Faes from Belgium.

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

Winter Getaway

“What could be better, than a change of scene for a week? Even if you are too busy, just think about it.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600
• without calendar: 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

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 Favorite?

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