As the calendar turns to November, bringing shorter days and gray skies to many parts of the globe, Smashing Magazine has released its latest monthly collection of desktop wallpapers. Designed by artists, illustrators, and digital creators worldwide, the release offers a vibrant array of artwork available in multiple screen resolutions, free for public download.
The release marks a continuation of a community tradition that has been running uninterrupted for more than fifteen years. Each month, independent designers submit artwork intended to offer visual inspiration and seasonal reflection for digital workspaces. The November edition features contributions spanning multiple continents—from Serbia and Spain to Lithuania, India, Georgia, and Dubai—reflecting a wide range of artistic styles, cultural traditions, and seasonal interpretations.
Alongside the community showcase, the magazine has issued an open call for submissions for the upcoming December edition, inviting digital artists of all skill levels to participate in the long-running initiative.
Below is an overview of the featured artwork and design concepts included in this month’s collection.
From Spooky To Scruffy
Designed by Predrag Kovacev from Serbia, "From Spooky To Scruffy" captures the humorous seasonal transition from Halloween festivities to the month-long facial hair growing tradition of November.
"Halloween may be officially over, but the real monster mash is just getting started on your face," Kovacev notes regarding his concept. "This month, we swap the plastic vampire fangs for the ultimate terror: thirty days of completely uninhibited facial hair growth. Think of it as extended character cosplay. By week three, you won’t just be skipping your morning shave, you’ll be auditioning to play Cousin Itt in the next Addams Family reboot. Embrace the itch, dodge the hairbrushes, and let your chin go full ghoul. Who needs a costume when your jawline is the haunted forest?"
One More Bat
Created by French designer Philippe Brouard, "One More Bat" emerged organically out of an exploration of mathematical design techniques. While experimenting with parametric curves, Brouard discovered a negative space within his geometry that closely resembled the silhouette of a bat shadow.
Beyond the aesthetic coincidence, Brouard intended the artwork to highlight ecological awareness regarding bat species, noting that these creatures warrant appreciation and environmental protection far beyond the traditional Halloween season.
Lost In Time
Spanish designer Veronica Valenzuela draws inspiration from cinematic history for her piece, "Lost In Time." The design reflects the transitional nature of November as autumn yields to the approach of winter, incorporating themes of nostalgia, home, and indoor comfort.
Valenzuela explicitly connects the mood of the month to the famous philosophical monologue from the sci-fi film Blade Runner: "All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain. November is here, a transitional month leading into December, winter, and everything that entails. November reminds me of home, the warmth of being indoors and enjoying unique, unrepeatable moments."
AI In 2027
Contributed by the Smashing Magazine Team, "AI In 2027" serves as both a functional desktop wallpaper and a visual announcement for the publication’s upcoming online event, the Smashing AI 2027 Conference.
Scheduled for December 1, 2026, the online event is structured around practical applications of artificial intelligence in design workflows. Industry experts will present sessions on establishing AI-ready design systems, conducting AI-driven user research, and building user trust into artificial intelligence interfaces. Tickets for the conference are priced at €50.
Be Proud Of Yourself
Designed by Hitesh Puri, based in Delhi, India, "Be Proud Of Yourself" offers an encouraging typographic design intended to serve as a daily motivational reminder on user screens.
Puri’s design focuses on personal growth and resilience, emphasizing self-reflection as the year winds down. His accompanying statement underscores the central theme: "Be proud of yourself for how far you’ve come. You’ve handled things that once felt impossible."
Candlelight November
Lithuanian designer Justas Arbatauskis offers a serene visual tribute to Baltic cultural traditions in "Candlelight November." The piece is inspired by the early November period of remembrance in Lithuania, when families gather to light candles at cemeteries across the country.
"In Lithuania, the first days of November belong to remembrance: families light candles on the graves of their loved ones and cemeteries across the country glow softly in the evening mist," Arbatauskis explains. "I wanted a calm, warm wallpaper that turns your desktop into a small candle-lit corner, a quiet pause before the busy end of the year."
Colorful Autumn
Created by PopArt Studio in Serbia, "Colorful Autumn" aims to counter the dreary, rainy weather typical of mid-autumn through vibrant color schemes.
The studio sought to create a visually uplifting backdrop for the month, using bright imagery to lift spirits during overcast days. "Autumn can be dreary, especially in November, when rain starts pouring every day," the studio shared. "We wanted to summon better days, so that’s how this colourful November calendar was created. Open your umbrella and let’s roll!"
Falling Into November
Design agency Libra Fire, based in Serbia, contributed "Falling Into November," a artwork that embraces the visual aesthetic of deep autumn.
The piece utilizes warm, earthy tones and foliage motifs to capture the transition into the heart of the fall season, emphasizing cozy colors, crisp leaves, and the gentle atmosphere characteristic of November afternoons.
Winter Is Here
Spanish artist Ricardo Gimenes presents "Winter Is Here," an artwork reflecting the arrival of colder weather. Gimenes, a frequent contributor to the monthly wallpaper series, uses bold graphic elements to signal the shift toward winter temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere.
Anbani
Georgian artist Vlad Gerasimov incorporates elements of his native culture in "Anbani," a piece that celebrates the distinct beauty of the Georgian writing system.
The title Anbani translates directly to alphabet in Georgian. Gerasimov’s illustration depicts a stylized tree whose leaves are formed from letters of the Georgian alphabet, showcasing the unique organic shapes of the ancient script.
Outer Space
Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia, "Outer Space" blends environmental reflection with cosmic curiosity. The calendar artwork encourages viewers to pause and consider terrestrial conservation alongside humanity’s relationship with the wider universe.
"We were inspired by nature around us and the universe above us, so we created an out-of-this-world calendar," PopArt Studio stated. "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?"
Time To Give Thanks
Australian designer Glynnis Owen offers "Time To Give Thanks," a graphic wallpaper centered on themes of gratitude, reflection, and seasonal gatherings as autumn draws toward its conclusion.
A Gentleman’s November
Belgian creator Cedric Bloem submitted "A Gentleman’s November," a refined visual composition designed to match the quiet, understated mood of mid-autumn.
Bug
Artist Ricardo Gimenes provides a second contribution to the November collection titled "Bug." The design brings Gimenes’ signature graphic style to an abstract, illustrative composition suitable for modern screen layouts.
International Civil Aviation Day
PopArt Studio from Serbia contributed a third piece to the collection, titled "International Civil Aviation Day," looking ahead to the global observance held annually on December 7.
The calendar artwork honors aviation workers and highlights the industry’s role in global connection. "On December 7, we mark International Civil Aviation Day, celebrating those who prove day by day that the sky really is the limit," the studio expressed. "As the engine of global connectivity, civil aviation is now, more than ever, a symbol of social and economic progress and a vehicle of international understanding. This monthly calendar is our sign of gratitude to those who dedicate their lives to enabling everyone to reach their dreams."
The Kind Soul
From Dubai, Color Mean Creative Studio contributed "The Kind Soul," a minimalist artwork designed around principles of empathy and human connection.
The studio summarized the ethos driving the piece in a brief statement: "Kindness drives humanity. Be kind. Be humble. Be humane. Be the best of yourself!"
November Nights On Mountains
Serbian designer Jovana Djokic captures a tranquil high-altitude landscape in "November Nights On Mountains." The piece illustrates the serene experience of late-autumn high country, focusing on the moment when moonlight illuminates the first snowfall across mountain peaks.
Red Leaves
Singapore-based artist Evacomics contributed "Red Leaves," an illustration capturing the striking crimson foliage characteristic of autumn in temperate climates.
Me And The Key Three
Belgian game designer and illustrator Bart Bonte contributed "Me And The Key Three," presenting a playful, character-driven design featuring distinct graphic artwork.
Moonlight Bats
German designer Carmen Eisendle combines autumn themes with character illustration in "Moonlight Bats."
Eisendle designed the artwork to bridge the end of October with the rest of the fall season. "I designed some Halloween characters and then this idea came to my mind — a bat family hanging around in the moonlight," Eisendle explained. "A cute and scary mood is just perfect for autumn."
Mushroom Season
Spanish designer Verónica Valenzuela provides a second contribution to the November issue titled "Mushroom Season," celebrating the autumn forest harvest.
Valenzuela highlights the traditional connection between fall rains and mushroom foraging. "It is autumn! It is raining and thus… it is mushroom season!" Valenzuela noted. "It is the perfect moment to go to the forest and get the best mushrooms to do the best recipe."
Go To Japan
In her third contribution to the collection, Spanish designer Veronica Valenzuela presents "Go To Japan," showcasing the rich brown and golden hues of Japanese autumn foliage (kōyō) during the month of November.
Tempestuous November
Designer Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia, draws on classical mythology for "Tempestuous November," using the figure of Poseidon as a metaphor for late-autumn storms.
"By the end of autumn, ferocious Poseidon will part from tinted clouds and timid breeze," Masnikosa describes. "After this uneven clash, the sky once more becomes pellucid just in time for imminent luminous snow."
Crown Me
Artist Ricardo Gimenes offers "Crown Me," a graphic illustration featured among the collection’s non-calendar abstract offerings.
Deer Fall, I Love You
American designer Maria Porter contributed "Deer Fall, I Love You," an illustration featuring woodland wildlife set against autumn foliage.
Don’t Let Gray Win
French creative team Tartanify submitted "Don’t Let Gray Win," a colorful design that encourages creating cozy, vibrant indoor environments to balance dismal weather outside.
"Let’s take extra care of colors during the autumn months," Tartanify suggested. "November might be gray and rainy. Outside. Don’t let it inside. Take a good book, prepare a hot ginger tea, and cover your knees with a bright woolen plaid."
Little Mademoiselle
Estonian designer Jelena Tšekulajeva presents "Little Mademoiselle," a monochrome, black-and-white line drawing depicting a young girl.
Welcome Home Dear Winter
Indian agency Acodez IT Solutions contributed "Welcome Home Dear Winter," an artwork focused on the comforts of home, warm food, and fireside conversation as cold weather approaches.
"The smell of winter is lingering in the air. The time to be home!" the agency noted. "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."
First Icicles Of The Coming Winter
Latvian designer Aleksandra Sivoronova contributed "First Icicles Of The Coming Winter," capturing the early formation of ice as winter settles over northern Europe.
Autumn Choir
Design team Hatchers, based across Ukraine and China, submitted "Autumn Choir," an artistic representation of autumnal color harmonies.
Call for December Submissions
With the November wallpaper collection now live, Smashing Magazine has opened submissions for the upcoming December edition. Digital creators interested in submitting artwork are invited to participate before the publication deadline on November 30.
