Smashing Magazine has published its January 2026 desktop wallpaper collection, continuing a series that has run for over 14 years. The collection is free to download, sourced from independent artists and designers worldwide, and available in resolutions from 640x480 up to 3840x2160, with and without calendar overlays.
Every piece in this collection was designed without editorial direction. Artists chose their own concepts from scratch. That constraint is the reason the work is worth browsing: you get genuine creative output, not a themed brief. Contributors this month include Ricardo Gimenes of Spain, whose piece is titled 'Moonwalker'.
The full article contains the complete resolution grid for each wallpaper, direct download links, and previews for every design. If you want a free, professionally designed desktop background for January 2026, the original post is the only place to get all of them in one place. Submissions for future months are open.
[READ ORIGINAL →]