Thank you, dear Smashing readers, for your support — it means the world to us. On behalf of the entire Smashing Magazine team, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014. Let it be the best year of your life. — Ed.

We always try our best to challenge your artistic abilities and produce some interesting, beautiful and creative artwork. And as designers we usually turn to different sources of inspiration. As a matter of fact, we’ve discovered the best one—desktop wallpapers that are a little more distinctive than the usual crowd. This creativity mission has been going on for over five years now, and we are very thankful to all designers who have contributed and are still diligently contributing each month.

This post features free desktop wallpapers created by artists across the globe for January 2014. Both versions with a calendar and without a calendar can be downloaded for free. It’s time to freshen up your wallpaper!

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?

Smashing New Year

“2014 is here! Wish you all amazing new year.” — Designed by Matej Pindroch from Slovakia.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Have A Smashing New Year 2014

Designed by Bryan Verlinden from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Keep Warm & Snuggle Up

“January is one of the coldest months of the year so designed a calendar that might inspire you to keep warm and snuggle up with a nice cup of hot chocolate, coffee, or tea… you choose!” — Designed by Jorden Campbell from New Hampshire, USA.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×1024
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×1024

New Year’s Resolution

Designed by Elise Vanoorbeek from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×1050, 1400×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 800×480, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×1050, 1400×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

The Twelfth Night

“January always reminds me of my childhood, dressing up as a king with some friend and going door to door to sing a song !” — Designed by Kevin Mornie from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Don’t Forget Your Vitamins

“Discover the seasonal fruits and vegetables. In January: apple and banana enjoying with the snow!” — Designed by Vitaminas Design from Spain.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Smashing Snowball

“Winter snowball fun!” — Designed by Bram De Nyn from Belgium.

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

Be Awesome Today

“A little daily motivation to keep your cool during the month of January.” — Designed by Amalia Van Bloom from United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 640×960
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 640×960

SmashingConf In New York

“A new Smashing Conference. 17–18th of June 2014. Two days, one track, 18 brilliant speakers. 350 seats.” — Designed by Ricardo Gimenes from Brazil.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 1366×768, 1600×1050, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 1366×768, 1600×1050, 2880×1800

Happy Coding This Year!

Designed by Jasper De Smet from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 800×480, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1920×1080, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×480, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1920×1080, 2560×1440

Cool Winter

“Wanted to abstractly sum up January. Showcase the cool, crisp colors and give an overall feeling of winter.” — Designed by Matt Noa from United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 2880×1800

Abstract Winter

“January is a cold and dark month up here in the north. A month to cuddle up in the warmth inside, light some candles and hang out with family while avoiding the bitter cold and snow outside. This is my attempt at an abstract interpretation of this chilly time of year.” — Designed by Terese Brännström from Sweden.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

A Cold January

Designed by Stijn Van Doorslaer from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1200
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1600×1200, 1680×1200

Rocky Mountain Winter

“January is a big month for skiing in Alberta. Fresh, crisp snow and spectacular scenery make for an amazing month.” — Designed by Jennifer Garman from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Taking Back Winter

“I live in Canada, where the winters are long and can be bleak if you don’t get active. These are things that represent my childhood.” — Designed by Stephanie Bell from Canada.

• preview
• with calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1920
• without calendar: 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×960, 1400×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1920

Happy New Year!

“A wallpaper to welcome the new year 2014!” — Designed by WebOlution from Greece.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 640×960, 1366×768
• without calendar: 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 2560×1600, 640×960, 1366×768

After Holidays

“I often use wallpapers for my desktop from your web site and really wanted to participate. My muse was the future Christmas holidays and what left after them. Hope to like my wallpaper and use it with smile :)” — Designed by Militsa Mokanova from Bulgaria.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Japanese New Year

Designed by Evacomics from Singapore.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 2560×1440, 768×1024
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 2560×1440, 768×1024

Lights In Concert

“It’s 2014! Let’s go see a show, all the Lights are going to be there. “De’light’ed”, “These lights rock” said the critics.” — Designed by Lights.com from United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 640×1136, 1040×1360, 1040×1536, 1080×1920, 2160×1920, 2560×1600, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 640×1136, 1040×1360, 1040×1536, 1080×1920, 2160×1920, 2560×1600, 2880×1800

Month Of The Wolf

“It is not only the start of a new year, it is also the month of the wolf. I think it is a beautiful combination. New year, new moon, wolf.” — Designed by Joni Fory from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 1024×700
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 1024×700

New Year It Is!

“This is the time to take a step forward, which will lead you to new adventures, new roads to explore and new success to reach. Its the time to forget the bad, remember the good, to not repeat the mistakes, to not hurt anyone. Let everyone’s life keep lighting up like fireworks, be away from darkness and take them higher. Happy New Year to all.” — Designed by Smita Dessai from Goa,India.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 1366×768, 1600×1050, 2880×1800
• without calendar: 320×480, 1024×768, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440, 640×960, 1366×768, 1600×1050, 2880×1800

New Years 2014 Celebration Of LIfe

“New Year new opportunities! Let’s celebrate and enjoy the launch of a new year and adventures 2014 will bring!” — Designed by Clifford Almeida from United States.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Remember 2014

“Everyone sometimes forget about the new year and still writes down the old one. So a wallpaper with a reminder can do no harm.” — Designed by Lisa Smets from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1440
• without calendar: 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1440

Wake Me Up When Spring Arrives

“Last year was the sad time for me. I lost my grandfather and I lost a long time to forget a wonderfull boy who I love. So In the new year I wish I’ll stronger as a flower sleep throughout the winter, wait spring to bloom.” — Designed by Nguyet Tran Thi Anh from Việt Nam.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1200, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1680×1200, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Warli Art

“The Warlis are an indigenous tribe or Adivasis, living in Mountainous as well as coastal areas of Maharashtra-Gujarat border and surrounding areas.They have their own animistic beliefs,life,customs and traditions,as a result of acculturation they have adopted many Hindu beliefs.” — Designed by Sacchidanand Chavan from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1366×768
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×800, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1366×768

Warming Up

Designed by Sofie Keirsmaekers from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×720, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 800×600, 1280×720, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1200, 2560×1440

Let’s Welcome The New Year

Designed by Paarva Creations from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 1366×768
• without calendar: 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1280×1024, 1440×900, 1920×1080, 1366×768

Welcome to Brasil: Fifa WC 2014

Designed by Biju Louis from India.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1680×1050, 1920×1080

Happy New Year! Cheers!

“Each year is another opportunity for us to start it with a BANG and a fresh opportunity at our dreams and New Year’s resolution. Our team used this as our theme for designing this wallpaper. Enjoy!” — Designed by Cliff Almeida from Phoenix, Arizona.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 320×480, 640×480, 800×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1024×1024, 1152×864, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1280×1024, 1400×1050, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1680×1200, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

A Winter Walk

“I remember times being very windy in January. Not only because of the backlash of Christmas food and New Years eve’s casserole, but also due to big drafts waiting at the train station.” — Designed by Tom Moore from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440
• without calendar: 640×480, 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×720, 1280×800, 1280×960, 1440×900, 1600×1200, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 1920×1440, 2560×1440

Sledding Snowman

“I stumbled upon some Calvin and Hobbes cartoons about winter, and they inspired me for this wallpaper. We aren’t the only ones having fun during winter! Snowmen are entitled to winter fun too! I wonder where he’ll land…?” — Designed by Pieter Van der Elst from Belgium.

• preview
• with calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 800×1280
• without calendar: 320×480, 1280×800, 1280×1024, 1600×1200, 1920×1200, 2560×1440, 800×1280

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.

A big thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!

What’s Your Favorite?

What’s your favorite theme or wallpaper for this month? Please let us know in the comment section below.

Stay creative and have a truly smashing, happy new year 2014!

© The Smashing Editorial for Smashing Magazine, 2013.

The dust hasn’t settled on the new Target.com redesign: the Web (OK, well, the web design community and a few actual Target customers) are looking for answers:

1. Why, Target? Why?
2. Who is responsible?

The first question may be a little easier to address, since Target has now responded to the criticism. They insist the redesign is based on pre-launch testing and positive post-launch traffic and sales, and promise to keep making adjustments as they learn more. Connections are also being drawn to the end of Target’s reliance on the Amazon website platform.

The answer to the second question is more of a closely-guarded secret. AdFreak checked in with some notable digital agencies known to be working with Target (Olson, SapientNitro, Huge, Razorfish), and all denied involvement. According to AdFreak, some said they believed the redesign was handled in-house.

An interesting comment on the Jezebel website by a friend of a past Target employee is a little chilling. Admittedly, we don’t know the full story behind why someone in management would address improvement suggestions by telling the designer, “not to bother.” Still, anyone with corporate experience is probably reading these words with a mixture of bitterness and resignation. In fairness to Target’s in-house team, the mess probably has more to do with pressure from above.

While it’s pragmatic to stop at, “this was tested: this is what worked.” It’s just as practical to recognize that testing still needs to be coupled with basic, purposeful design principles. Target in particular has been setting itself apart from the other big box stores for years with its emphasis on better design. In that light, this can also be considered a failure beyond visual identity, to brand.

In case you were curious, in an AdFreak follow-up piece, Target Defends Homepage Redesign but Still Won’t Say Who Did It.

Writers aren’t too happy about the whole Big Red Periods thing, either.

Are you responsible for the Target.com redesign? Would you admit it if you were? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Your Users’ Actions on your Website (Windows) – only $27!

Advanced technologies are affecting everything from our sense of privacy and free speech to the types of jobs that are available to the foods that we eat. In our best features this year, we got into these highly controversial topics.

By The Editors

Intel today announced an update including bug fixes and improvements to their now, second gen XDK HTML5 Development Tool.