Memories Of August (2022 Desktop Wallpapers Edition) — Smashing Magazine

A New Batch of August Wallpapers

Looking to freshen up your desktop for the coming month? Our community of artists and designers has once again answered the monthly wallpapers challenge, delivering a fresh set of artworks for August 2022. This long-running project continues to draw creative submissions from around the globe, and each piece is available in versions with and without a calendar.

Whether you're tracking deadlines or counting down to a well-earned break, you can grab the calendar edition or keep the clean artwork after the month ends. As a bonus, we've also pulled a selection of timeless favorites from our archives—wallpapers that remain too good to forget.

Before you download, a few notes on how this collection works:

• Click on any preview image to see a larger version.
• Artists have complete creative freedom; the themes you see here were designed from scratch without editorial influence.
• Want to see your own work featured next? We're always looking for new talent to join the challenge.

Swimming In The Summer

"It's the perfect evening and the water is so warm! Can you feel it? You move your legs just a little bit and you feel the water bubbles dancing around you! It's just you in there, floating in the clean lake and small sparkly lights shining above you! It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it?" — Designed by Creative Pinky from the Netherlands.

Downloads are available in a wide range of resolutions, from mobile-friendly 320x480 up to widescreen 2560x1440. Both calendar and no-calendar versions are offered for each size, including the most common desktop standards such as 1920x1080, 1440x900, and 1280x800.

Vacation Vibes

Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia, this wallpaper transports you to a state of relaxation. Expect a calming palette and soothing imagery that captures the essence of a getaway. It is meant to bring vacation energy to your workspace, whether you are counting down to a trip or savoring memories of time off. The design emphasizes wide, open skies and gentle waves, offering a serene escape from the daily grind.

Available in a range of resolutions for both desktop and mobile, from standard 320x480 for phones to expansive 2560x1440 for widescreen monitors. You can download a version with or without the August calendar for the month. A preview image is available to check the design before downloading.

Downloads:

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

Subtle August Chamomiles

The team at MasterBundles from Ukraine opted for a quieter interpretation of summer. They sought a summery aesthetic that felt understated, and found their inspiration in chamomile — a flower abundant in their country’s summer fields. The result is a soft, neutral palette featuring these delicate flowers. For those wanting a more vibrant look, MasterBundles suggests checking their listicle for additional options.

This design is downloadable for 20 different screen sizes, covering common laptop and monitor resolutions from 1024x768 up to 2560x1440, plus several mobile formats beginning at 320x480. Both a calendar-free version and a version with the August calendar are available, alongside a preview file. The wallpaper is a product of careful design aimed at creating a tranquil and gentle feel for your desktop.

Downloads:

• 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

It’s Vacation O’Clock!

If you’re struggling to stay focused while daydreaming about sandy beaches and the gentle splash of waves, this wallpaper might offer a brief escape. The design plays with the idea of dolce far niente — the sweetness of doing nothing — while you’re still stuck at your desk. Created by ActualCollab from the United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 1080x1920, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900
• without calendar: 1080x1920, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900

Freak Show Vol. 1

From Ricardo Gimenes in Sweden comes a collection that brings a more eclectic, carnival-inspired aesthetic to your desktop. It’s a departure from the usual vacation-themed imagery and offers a different mood for the month.

• preview
• with calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900
• without calendar: 640x480, 800x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1024x1024, 1152x864, 1280x720, 1280x800, 1280x960, 1280x1024, 1366x768, 1400x1050, 1440x900

August Wallpapers: From Freak Shows to Fairy Tales

Freak Show Vol. 2

Swedish designer Ricardo Gimenes brings a second installment of his carnival-inspired series, Freak Show Vol. 2.

• Preview and download options available
• Versions with and without calendar for August
• Resolutions range from 640x480 up to 3840x2160

Ice Cream, All Day, Everyday

Suu Ng of Mad Fish Digital in Portland, OR, celebrates the enduring appeal of frozen treats: "We like our ice cream at Mad Fish Digital so why not create a wallpaper for it?"

• Available in select resolutions including 320x480, 1024x1024, and 2560x1440
• Both calendar and calendar-free variants are provided

Climbing The Beanstalk

Veronica Valenzuela from Spain invites users to join Jack on his legendary ascent: "In August, we accompany Jack through the Beanstalk on surprising adventures. You sign up?"

• Offered in ten standard resolutions from 640x480 to 2560x1440
• Each size comes with and without the August calendar overlay

Each design is available in its original preview format alongside the full range of display sizes, giving desktop users the flexibility to match their screen without sacrificing the seasonal theme.

Archive Favorites

Looking back through previous August collections, a few patterns emerge: summer holidays, seasonal foods, and the last warm nights of the year have always been rich sources of inspiration for the design community. The following are some picks from our archives. Note that none of these designs include a calendar.

Happiness Happens In August & Bee Happy!

Two designs lean into the lighthearted side of the month. PopArt Studio from Serbia celebrates the fact that August is often the happiest month of the year, pointing out that August 8th is officially known as Happiness Happens Day. Emily Haines from the United States takes a similar approach, reminding viewers to stay positive as summer winds down.

Launch & Hello Again

Two designers find different seasonal cues. James Mitchell from the United Kingdom explains that the clearer summer nights drove his space-themed design, while Tazi from Australia notes that in Melbourne, August means the end of a cold winter and the prospect of warmer weather.

Seasonal Celebrations

A few works draw from notable August events. Melissa Bogemans from Belgium highlights Melon Day, a national holiday in Turkmenistan celebrated on the second Sunday of August. PopArt Studio also contributes a piece tied to the Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Conference, appealing to researchers and enthusiasts planning to attend.

Summer Still Life

Colorful Summer by Lívi from Hungary takes its cue from an Alice Hoffman passage about August, while Ricardo Gimenes from Sweden contributed two pieces: the surfer-themed Cowabunga and the more laid-back Coffee Break Time. Glynnis Owen from Australia pairs coffee with donuts against a winter backdrop, as it is still cold in her part of the world.

Nostalgia And Nature

Francesco Paratici from Australia and Ioana Bitin from Bucharest, Romania both lean into the sentimental side of the season, with designs tied to childhood and holiday experiences. Pedro Rolo from Portugal and Wonderland Collective from South Africa offer playful alternatives, the latter inspired by jellyfish tanks spotted on a trip to uShaka Marine World, where the team discovered that the collective noun for a group of these creatures is a bloom.

Creature Comforts

Several designers looked to animals and simple pleasures. Chalermkiat Oncharoen from Thailand focuses on handwritten typography, while Westie Vibes from Portugal drew inspiration from their dog Sami. Denise Johnson from Chicago suggests taking time to chill out during the summer heat, and Igor Izhik from Canada uses the imagery of a campfire to evoke the long August nights.

Evening Skies

The August night sky closes out the archive section. BootstrapDash from India contributes Unforgettable Summer Night, Luc Versleijen from the Netherlands imagines the sun itself suffering from heatstroke, Monk Software from Italy offers a midnight scene, and Olga Bukhalova from Italy connects the month with falling stars and their associated wishes.