Make A Wish (May 2022 Desktop 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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Let’s welcome May with a new collection of wallpapers. Designed with love by artists and designers from across the globe, they come in versions with and without a calendar for May 2022.

We always try our best to challenge your creativity and get you out of your comfort zone. In all these years we’ve been running it, our monthly wallpapers series has turned out to be the perfect occasion to do just that: to put your creative skills to the test, try out a new technique you haven’t tried before, tell a story that matters to you, or indulge in a little project just for fun. And well, the wallpaper submissions that reach us every month, always make for a unique collection of community artworks, ready to adorn desktop and mobile screens. It wasn’t any different this time around.

Created with love by designers and artists from across the globe, the wallpapers in this collection all come in versions with and without a calendar for May 2022. As a little bonus goodie, we also compiled some favorites from past May editions at the end of this post. Thank you to everyone who took on the challenge and shared their wallpapers with us — you’re smashing!

  • You can click on every image to see a larger preview,
  • 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 a wallpaper!
    Did you know that you could get featured in our next wallpapers post, too? We are always looking for creative talent.

Kira

“On April 23, in Odesa, a random Russian missile killed three-month old Kira Glodan, her mother Valerie and grandmother, destroying their home while her father was out buying products. During war, many such tragedies happen, sometimes every day. And many of these tragedies do not hit media. Still, I felt I had to respond, it is the least I can do — help spread the word. War, please stop.” — Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Georgia.

Kira

Hello May

“The longing for warmth, flowers in bloom, and new beginnings is finally over as we welcome the month of May. From celebrating nature on the days of turtles and birds to marking the days of our favorite wine and macarons, the historical celebrations of the International Workers’ Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Victory Day, to the unforgettable ‘May the Fourth be with you’. May is a time of celebration — so make every May day count!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

Hello May

The Impenetrable Wall Of Love

“I was trying to draw a simple picture, with people made of cardboard. But I guess my thoughts of war leak through. War, please stop.” — Designed by Vlad Gerasimov from Georgia.

The Impenetrable Wall Of Love

The Monolith

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

The Monolith

Blooming May

“In spring, especially in May, we all want bright colors and lightness, which was not there in winter. Our designers decided to convey these feelings in the May calendar. We have collected more variety of calendars here. They are free to download. :)” — Designed by MasterBundles from Ukraine.

Blooming May

Toucan’t

Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden.

Toucan’t

Looking For The Treasure

“This month we embark on an adventure to find the treasure island. Do you come with us?” — Designed by Veronica Valenzuela Jimenez from Spain.

Looking For The Treasure

Tree Colors

“During spring, trees awake from the cold season. With this desktop wallpaper I want to think about nice colors of flowers and leaves. It’s time to get outside!” — Designed by Philippe Brouard from France.

Tree Colors

Oldies But Goodies

So many beautiful and inspiring designs have seen the light of day since we embarked on this wallpapers journey more than eleven years ago. And since they are just too good to be forgotten deep down in the archives, we compiled some timeless wallpaper favorites below. Please note that these designs don’t come with a calendar.

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

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

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.

From Nope To Hope

“Hope helps us define what we want in our futures and is part of the self-narrative about our lives we all have running inside our minds. Whether we think about it or not, hope is a part of everyone’s life. Everyone hopes for something. It’s an inherent part of being a human being.” — Designed by Hitesh Puri from Delhi, India.

From Nope To Hope

Geo

Designed by Amanda Focht from the United States.

Geo

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.

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.

Be On Your Bike!

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.

Who Is Your Mother?

Make A Wish

Designed by Julia Versinina from Chicago, USA.

Make A Wish

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.

The Green Bear

Designed by Pedro Rolo from Portugal.

The Green Bear

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!

Lookout At Sea

“I wanted to create something fun and happy for the month of May. It’s a simple concept, but May is typically the time to adventure out into the world and enjoy the best of Spring.” — Designed by Alexander Jubinski from the United States.

Illustration of a tiny island in the sea which houses a lighthouse and a small house.

The Off-Hours Guardian

“In May, we are marking Labour Day, the international holiday celebrating workers’ achievements and urging fair pay and better working conditions. But for many, this day will be a reminder of countless hours of overtime, stress, and strain caused by tight deadlines, lack of workers’ rights for freelancers, and a paycheck that covers just the basics. Our thoughts are with all of you who will spend International Workers’ Day at their jobs, with freelancers fighting for their rights, and with anyone who feels difficulty maintaining their work-life balance.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

The Off-Hours Guardian

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.

Illustration of a reading woman sitting on top of a ladder in the light of a street lamp.

Tentacles

Designed by Julie Lapointe from Canada.

Smashing Wallpaper - may 12

Field Wild Flowers

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

Field Wild Flowers

Game Boy

Designed by Sander Geenen from Belgium.

Illustration of a vintage handheld Game Boy.

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

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