Embarking On New Adventures: Inspiring Desktop Wallpapers For May 2018

11 min read
Freebies, Templates, Wallpapers
Share on Twitter, LinkedIn

About The Author

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 ↬

Email Newsletter

Weekly tips on front-end & UX.
Trusted by 200,000+ folks.

Let’s celebrate the beginning of May with some fresh and inspiring desktop wallpapers. Since more than nine years, artists and designers from across the globe challenge their creative skills and design monthly wallpapers for you to indulge in. In this post Cosima Mielke brings you their artworks for May 2018. Designed with love by artists and designers from across the globe, this wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar, so that you can continue using your favorites even after the month has ended.

Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to get inspired. A short ride with your bike, a coffee break with a friend, or listening to your favorite song might be just what you need to spark some fresh ideas. And if that doesn’t do it, we have a little extra inspiration boost for you: desktop wallpapers. Since more than nine years, artists and designers from across the globe challenge their creative skills and design monthly wallpapers for you to indulge in. And, of course, it wasn’t any different this time around. This post features their artworks for May 2018. The wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar, so that you can continue using your favorites even after the month has ended. Speaking of favorites: As a special goodie, we also added a selection of May wallpapers from previous years that are too good to be forgotten. A big thank-you to everyone who participated. Now there’s only one question left open: Which one to choose?

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?

Leaves Of Grass

“For many, the month of May is the preferred month of the year. The nature blossoms, the birds sing, and leaves of grass sprout all around us. Coincidentally, this is the month at the end of which the poet Walt Whitman was born. As he said in his famous poetry collection: ‘Spontaneous me, Nature, The loving day, the mounting sun, the friend I am happy with, The arm of my friend hanging idly over my shoulder.’ Sounds like a perfect setting to fly a kite — so, let’s get to it!” - Designed by PopArt Studio from Novi Sad, Serbia.

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

Lake Deck

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

preview
with calendar: 1280x960, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 2880x1800
without calendar: 1280x960, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 2880x1800

It’s Finally May, My Deer

“After going through a super long winter, I was inspired to create this whimsical wallpaper because I wanted to highlight the beauty of nature and how I envision it to be during the warmer seasons that have yet to come.” - Designed by Michaela Schmidt from Maryland.

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

Geo

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

A River And A Dream

“A river with lush trees. Is it a dream? A beautiful sight in the middle of the Belgrade city. I can hear the music in the distance. Some retro sound. Earth, river, fresh air, the wind, blue sky, the music. I closed my eyes and the feeling of nostalgia for another time and adventurous spirit to travel around the world in a boat struck me suddenly. I opened my eyes slowly. Yes, the fisherman has finally caught the fish. You can’t ever feel unhappy strolling by the river and taking shots. Dream and be patient just like the fisherman, and maybe you will travel around the world in a boat.” - Designed by Marija Zaric from Belgrade, Serbia.

preview
with calendar: 800x450, 1280x720, 1366x768, 1440x810, 1600x900, 1680x945, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
without calendar: 800x450, 1280x720, 1366x768, 1440x810, 1600x900, 1680x945, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Magical Sunset

“I designed Magical Sunset as a friendly reminder to take a moment and enjoy life around you. Each sunset and sunrise brings a new day for greatness and a little magic.” - Designed by Carolyn Warcup from the United States.

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

What’s The Buzz?

“May is the start of the summer adventure. Whether its traveling, outdoors, or sunshine, it is a time that brings smiles. I used three objects to portray this idea. The passport is a key to traveling, the sound of bees and sight of them pollinating shows the outdoors, and the glasses represent the summer sunshine that is about to come.” - Designed by Maci Roos from Pottsville, PA.

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

May The Fourth Be With Y’All!

“In honor of Star Wars day, I created this Millennium Falcon island. Wouldn’t it be fun to set sail to a beach vacation paradise a long time ago in a galaxy far far away?” - Designed by Phil Scroggs from the United States.

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

Growth At The Cost Of Green

“Imagine going deep into the woods, feeling the plush green breath of nature. A space devoid of chaos and pollution. A luxury one could rarely afford in the current world. The land that remains today is unnatural, with huge tractors sprawling into, greedily craving for soil and more ‘convenience’ for humans. Deforestation surely represents one of the major concerns in global land use.” - Designed by Sweans from London.

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

Skiing!

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

World No-Tobacco Day 2018

“Smoking does not make you a killer per se, but your heart will drown in guilt if second-hand smoke gave someone in your own family a life-threatening disease. Save a lifetime of regret — quit today.” - Designed by Dipanjan Karmakar from India.

preview
with calendar: 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080
without calendar: 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080

Oldies But Goodies

Some things are too good to gather dust. That’s why we dug deep into our wallpaper archieves to rediscover some May favorites from past years. Please note that they hence don’t come with a calendar. Enjoy!

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.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 640x960, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x1024, 1152x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600

Be On Your Bike!

“May is National Bike Month! So, instead of hopping in your car, grab your bike and go. Our whole family loves that we live in our bike-friendly community. So, bike to work, to school, to the store, or to the park — sometimes it is faster. Not only is it good for the environment, but it is great exercise!” — Designed by Karen Frolo from the United States.

preview
without calendar: 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

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.

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

Poppies Paradise

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

Field Wild Flowers

“Springtime festival celebrated with May blossoms.” — Designed by Richard George Davis from South Africa.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 3440x1440

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.

preview
without calendar: 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Japan

“Japan is the land of the rising sun.” — Designed by Cheloveche.ru from Russia.

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

La Ensalada

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

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.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x960, 1600x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440

Who Is Your Mother?

“Someone who wakes up early in the morning, cooks you healthy and tasty meals, does your dishes, washes your clothes, sends you off to school, sits by your side and cuddles you when you are down with fever and cold, and hugs you when you have lost all hopes to cheer you up. Have you ever asked your mother to promise you never to leave you? No. We never did that because we are never insecure and our relationship with our mothers is never uncertain. We have sketched out this beautiful design to cherish the awesomeness of motherhood. Wishing all a happy Mothers Day!” — Designed by Acodez IT Solutions from India.

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

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.

preview
without calendar: 800x480, 1024x768, 1152x864, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Let’s Have Some Fun In The Sun

“May takes us down a lane of memories along with the stories of summer that cling to us, so we designed a wallpaper to remind everyone of the warmth of happiness while the sun shines. Summer is the time of the year when we are in a holiday mood and also we make it a point to take some time to chill out with people dear to us.” — Designed by Acodez from India.

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

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.

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 960x640, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Colorful

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 640×960, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1200

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!