Colorful Inspiration For Gray Days (November 2018 Wallpapers)

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Graphics, Icons, Wallpapers
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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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Give your desktop a makeover with this fresh batch of wallpapers. Today Cosima Mielke brings you wallpapers designed by the community for the community and available with and without a calendar for November 2018. The wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar for November 2018 and can be downloaded for free. As a little bonus goodie, we added a selection of favorites from past November editions to this post. Because, well, some things are too good to be forgotten somewhere down in the archives, right? Enjoy!

How about some colorful inspiration for those gray and misty November days? We might have something for you. Just like every month since more than nine years already, artists and designers from across the globe once again tickled their creativity and designed unique wallpapers that are bound to breathe some fresh life into your desktop.

The wallpapers all come in versions with and without a calendar for November 2018 and can be downloaded for free. As a little bonus goodie, we added a selection of favorites from past November editions to this post. Because, well, some things are too good to be forgotten somewhere down in the archives, right? Enjoy!

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?

Outer Space

“This November, we are inspired by the nature around us and the universe above us, so we created an out of this world calendar. Now, let us all stop for a second and contemplate on preserving our forests, let us send birds of passage off to warmer places, and let us think to ourselves — if not on Earth, could we find a home somewhere else in outer space?” Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

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

Stars

“I don’t know anyone who hasn’t enjoyed a cold night looking at the stars.” Designed by Ema Rede from Portugal.

preview
with calendar: 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440
without calendar: 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1440

Running Through Autumn Mist

“A small tribute to my German Shepherd who adds joy to those grey November days.” Designed by Franke Margrete from The Netherlands.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 360x480, 376x668, 768x1024, 1024x1024, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1366x1050, 1440x900, 1536x864, 1600x900, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 3840x2160, 5120x2880
without calendar: 320x480, 360x480, 376x668, 768x1024, 1024x1024, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1366x1050, 1440x900, 1536x864, 1600x900, 1920x1080, 1920x1440, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 3840x2160, 5120x2880

Magical Foliage

“Foliage is the most mystical process of nature to ever occur. Leaves bursting and falling in shades of red, orange, yellow and making the landscape look magical.” Designed by ATop Digital from India.

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

Sad Kitty

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

The Light Of Lights

“Diwali is all about celebrating the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The hearts of the vast majority are as dark as the night of the new moon. The house is lit with lamps, but the heart is full of the darkness of ignorance. Wake up from the slumber of ignorance. Realize the constant and eternal light of the Soul which neither rises nor sets through meditation and make this festive month even brighter and more vibrant.” Designed by Intranet Software from India.

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

Her

“I already had an old sketch that I wanted to try to convert to a digital illustration. The colors of the drawing were inspired by nature that at this time of the year has both the warm of fallen leaves as it has the cold greens of the leaves that make it through winter.” Designed by Ana Matos from Portugal.

preview
with calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1400x1050, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Mesmerizing Monsoon

“Monsoon is all about the chill, the tranquillity that whizzes around, a light drizzle that splashes off our faces, the musty aroma of the earth and more than anything - a sense of liberation. The designer here has depicted the soul of monsoon, one that you would want to heartily soak in.” Designed by Nafis Mohamed from London.

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

Universal Children’s Day

“Universal Children’s Day, 20 November. It feels like a dream world, it invites you to let your imagination flow, see the details, and find the child inside you.” Designed by Luis Costa from Portugal.

preview
with calendar: 1366x768, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
without calendar: 1366x768, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Stay Little

“It is believed that childhood is the happiest time cause this period of life cannot be matched with any other phases of life. During this month of November, let’s continue celebrating Children’s Day no matter how old you are, by sharing wishes to your children and childhood friends.” Designed by Taxi Software from India.

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

Gezelligheid

“This month’s wallpaper is dedicated to the magical place of Barcelona that has filled my soul with renewed purpose and hope. I wanted to recreate the enchanting Parc Güell where I’m celebrating Thanksgiving with the people I’ve met that have given me so much in so little time.” Designed by Priscilla Li from the United States.

preview
with calendar: 1280x720, 1366x768, 1920x1080, 2560x1440
without calendar: 1280x720, 1366x768, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Falling Rainbow

“I have a maple tree in my yard that sometimes turns these colors in the fall - red on the outer leaves, then yellow, and the inner leaves still green.” Designed by Hannah Joy Patterson from South Carolina, USA.

preview
with calendar: 540x960, 640x960, 800x600, 960x640, 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1920, 1366x768, 1366x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1280, 1920x1440, 2160x1440, 2560x1440
without calendar: 540x960, 640x960, 800x600, 960x640, 1080x1920, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1920, 1366x768, 1366x1024, 1400x1050, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 1920x1280, 1920x1440, 2160x1440, 2560x1440

Origami In The Night Sky

preview
with calendar: 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1440
without calendar: 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1440

Oldies But Goodies

Below you’ll find some November goodies from past years. Please note that these wallpapers don’t come with a calendar.

Colorful Autumn

“Autumn can be dreary, especially in November, when rain starts pouring every day. We wanted to summon better days, so that’s how this colourful November calendar was created. Open your umbrella and let’s roll!” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.

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

Time To Give Thanks!

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

No Shave Movember

“The goal of Movember is to ‘change the face of men’s health.’” — Designed by Suman Sil from India.

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

Welcome Home Dear Winter

“The smell of winter is lingering in the air. The time to be home! Winter reminds us of good food, of the warmth, the touch of a friendly hand, and a talk beside the fire. Keep calm and let us welcome winter.” — Designed by Acodez IT Solutions from India.

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

Deer Fall, I Love You!

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 800x600, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1680x1050, 2560x1440

Mushroom Season!

“It is autumn! It is raining and thus… it is mushroom season! It is the perfect moment to go to the forest and get the best mushrooms to do the best recipe.” — Designed by Verónica Valenzuela from Spain.

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

Little Mademoiselle P

“Black-and-white drawing of a little girl.” Designed by Jelena Tšekulajeva from Estonia.

preview
without calendar: 320×480, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050

Autumn Wreath

“I love the changing seasons — especially the autumn colors and festivals here around this time of year!” — Designed by Rachel Litzinger from the United States.

preview
without calendar: 640x1136, 1080x1920, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1600x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1080, 1920x1200, 2048x2048, 2560x1440

November Nights On Mountains

“Those chill November nights when you see mountain tops covered with the first snow sparkling in the moonlight.” — Designed by Jovana Djokic from Serbia.

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

Hello World, Happy November!

“I often read messages at Smashing Magazine from the people in the southern hemisphere ‘it’s spring, not autumn!’ so I’d liked to design a wallpaper for the northern and the southern hemispheres. Here it is, northerners and southerns, hope you like it!” — Designed by Agnes Swart from the Netherlands.

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

A Gentleman’s November

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

Branches

“The design of trees has always fascinated me. Each one has it’s own unique entanglement of branches. With or without leaves they are always intriguing. Take some time to enjoy the trees around you — and the one on this wallpaper if you’d like!” — Designed by Rachel Litzinger from Chiang Rai, Thailand.

preview
without calendar: 1080x1920, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1440x900, 1680x1200, 1920x1200, 2560x1440, 1600x900, 2560x2560

Simple Leaves

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 640x480, 800x600, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 2560x1440

Captain’s Home

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

Me And The Key Three

“This wallpaper is based on screenshots from my latest browser game (I’m an indie games designer).” — Designed by Bart Bonte from Belgium.

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

Red Leaves

preview
without calendar: 320x480, 1024x768, 1280x800, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1920x1080, 2560x1440

Autumn Choir

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Real Artists Ship

“A tribute to Steve Jobs, from the crew at Busy Building Things.” Designed by Andrew Power from Canada.

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Late Autumn

“The late arrival of Autumn.” Designed by Maria Castello Solbes from Spain.

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

Autumn Impression

preview
without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 2560×1440

Flying

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

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!