A Journey Through The World Of Music (April 2018 Desktop Wallpapers)

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As a part of our recent creativity challenge, artists and designers from across the globe created monthly desktop wallpapers dedicated to their favorite songs. And, of course, we do have some spring-themed wallpapers for April, too.

A song can wake memories, give you an energy boost, or inspire you. It can help overcome a creative trough or make a beautiful moment even more beautiful. To pay tribute to the music you love, we announced the “Illustrate your favorite song” wallpapers challenge a few weeks ago. And, well, today, we’re happy to present the lucky winner.

The idea behind the challenge was to design a desktop wallpaper for April 2018 in which you tell us a little story about your favorite song. What is the song about? What images arise in your head when you listen to it? How does it make you feel? Is it bold and full of energy or calm and relaxing? Artists and designers from across the globe took on the challenge, and, well, the results are a colorful journey through the world of music — earworms guaranteed. So without further ado, let’s dive right in.

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?

And The Winner Is …

Nikes On My Feet

Nikes On My Feet

PopArt Web Design from Serbia designed a wallpaper based on the song ‘Nikes on My Feet’ by Mac Miller. A great reminder to put on your shoes, get outside, and embrace spring.

“We got inspired by the song ‘Nikes on My Feet’ by Mac Miller, which was perfect for the upcoming month of April and the warm weather that spring brings. As Mac Miller said, ‘All I really need is some shoes on my feet”

Download the wallpaper:

Congratulations, dear PopArt Web Design team! You won a ticket to one of our upcoming SmashingConfs. We’re already looking forward to meet you there. In San Francisco or Toronto, maybe?

More Submissions

A big Thank You to everyone who participated. Keep up the brilliant work!

Wildest Dreams

“We love the art direction, story and overall cinematography of the ‘Wildest Dreams’ music video by Taylor Swift. It inspired us to create this illustration. Hope it will look good on your desktops.” - Designed by Kasra Design from Malaysia.

Wildest Dreams

Yellow Submarine

“The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’: This song is fun and at the same time there is a lot of interesting text that changes your thinking. Like everything that makes The Beatles.” - Designed by WebToffee from India.

Yellow Submarine

Learning To Fly

“Man has always wanted to fly like a bird and his striving for freedom is remarkable. After watching this song from Pink Floyd, I wanted to jump off a cliff and become an eagle so many times as a kid.” - Designed by WPFloor from India.

Learning To Fly

Wonderful Life

“My favorite song is ‘Wonderful Life’ from Black from my childhood. This picture that was taken in a very beautiful dock in Belgrade evokes a calm feeling from that song, a peacefulness of soul and mind. Each of us has a gift, but what is truly wonderful is to embrace a flair toward life in small things because, no need to run and hide, it’s a wonderful, Wonderful Life. Cheers!” - Designed by Marija Zaric from Belgrade, Serbia.

Wonderful Life

Purple Rain

“I love Prince and I was very sad when he left. This song is pretty romantic and makes me dream…� — Designed by Purple from India.

Purple Rain

An Autumn Night

“‘My autumn night vanishes into light, Who will I leave you with, my flute?’ The famous song written by Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Prize winner in Literature 1913. The song is taken from his famous song collection ‘Gitabitan’.” - Designed by Suman Sil from India.

An Autumn Night

Dreadlock Rasta

“‘Buffalo Soldier’ is a nickname bestowed by the Native Americans to members of the U.S. 10th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army, denoting their stubborn courage and toughness in battle. The song ‘Buffalo Soldier’ reflects on the courage and valour of these soldiers despite the racist, prejudicial system in which they operated.” - Designed by Sweans from London.

Dreadlock Rasta

Buena Vista Social Club

“I dance salsa and other Latin dances since 10 years. This makes me happy and makes me love life even more. This song by Chan Chan is one of the first Latin songs I’ve ever fallen in love with.” - Designed by Material Admin from India.

Buena Vista Social Club

Stairway To Heaven

“‘Stairway To Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin.” - Designed by Stellar from India.

Stairway To Heaven

Sounds Like Spring

“In spring you can hear all those beautiful sounds outside of the birds singing. Therefore I created this wallpaper of an old phonograph with lovely flowers coming out like music.” - Designed by Melissa Bogemans from Belgium.

Sounds Like Spring

Spring Wallpapers

Your favorite song wasn’t part of the collection? No worries, we’ve got some seasonal wallpapers for you to get your desktop ready for April, too, of course — no matter the weather. Please note that some of them are from our archives, and, thus, don’t come with a calendar.

Enjoy Easter

Designed by UIG Studio from Poland.

Enjoy Easter

No Winter Lasts Forever

“Here comes spring, breathing new life into the world around us.” - Designed by Norjimm Pvt Ltd from India.

No Winter Lasts Forever

Bunny

“Easter is the time to celebrate new beginnings, welcoming spring while rejoicing the festival of abundance with your loved ones and your family.” - Designed by Vipin Nayar from India.

Bunny

Brushes Are Flowers

“April is just around the corner of spring, so I added the flower, but it is also a gray month with all the rain that usually comes with it, so I added gray colors with a twist.” - Designed by Tiago Oliveira from Portugal.

Brushes Are Flowers

  • without calendar: 1366x768, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

    Earth Yey!

    “April has a very special day: Earth Day! So I decided to pay tribute to this amazing planet by creating this image with a happy universe.” - Designed by Sara Andreia Agostinho from Portugal.

    Earth Yey!

  • without calendar: 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

    Strength To Face The Challenges

    “April is a month that most people look back to see how far they got with the new year’s resolutions. It’s always overwhelming to realize that it’s almost half way to one year and there’s still so much to be done. This calendar wallpaper is designed to remind you that, ‘you’ve got this!’” - Designed by Metrovista from Orlando, Florida.

    Strength To Face the Challenges

    Happy Easter

    Designed by Tazi Design from Australia.

    Happy Easter

    Relax!

    “…and enjoy your Easter holidays with some good chocolate.” — Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Brazil.

    Relax!

    Clover Field

    Designed by Nathalie Ouederni from France.

    Clover Field

    Fairytale

    “A tribute to Hans Christian Andersen. Happy Birthday!” — Designed by Roxi Nastase from Romania.

    Fairytale

    Springtime Sage

    “Spring and fresh herbs always feel like they compliment each other. Keeping it light and fresh with this wallpaper welcomes a new season!” — Designed by Susan Chiang from the United States.

    Springtime Sage

    Fusion

    Designed by Rio Creativo from Poland.

    Fusion

    Be Happy Bee

    “Smell of spring flowers, especially daisies and open landscapes, the joy of freedom.” — Designed by Kiraly Tamas from Romania.

    Be Happy Bee

    Spring Infographics

    “Spring comes for everyone, for big and for small. How spring is arranged? I suggest us to understand this question.” — Designed by Ilya Denisenko from Russia.

    Spring Infographics

    Flying On A Rainy Day!

    “April is the month of spring or autumn depending where you live on the globe! It’s also the second rainiest month of the year. I was inspired by one simple motif to illustrate rain, birds and flowers. So either you witness rainy days or colorful ones… Enjoy April!” — Designed by Rana Kadry from Egypt.

    Flying on a rainy day!

    Without The Rain There Would Be No Rainbows

    “I love April showers and the spring blooms they bring!” — Designed by Denise Johnson from Chicago.

    Without The Rain There Would Be No Rainbows.

    Good Day

    “Some pretty flowers and spring time always make for a good day.” — Designed by Amalia Van Bloom from the United States.

    good day

    The Perpetual Circle

    “The Black Forest, which is beginning right behind our office windows, so we can watch the perpetual circle of nature, when we take a look outside.” — Designed by Nils Kunath from Germany.

    The perpetual circle

    April Brings Spring

    “With April comes spring, flowers and a fresh breathe of warmth and creativity.” — Designed by Zack Aronson from New York, US.

    April X Tribeca Film Festival

    Silly Sheep

    Designed by Pietje Precies from The Netherlands.

    Smashing Wallpaper - April 2011

    Sakura

    “Spring is finally here with its sweet Sakura’s flowers, which reminds me of my trip to Japan.” Designed by Laurence Vagner from France.

    Smashing Wallpaper - April 2011

    A Time For Reflection

    “‘We’re all equal before a wave.’ - Laird Hamilton.” — Designed by Shawna Armstrong from the United States.

    A Time for Reflection

    Spring Rain

    “Even the rain is beautiful during spring!” — Designed by Zlatina Petrova from Bulgaria.

    Spring Rain

    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.

    Join in next month!

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