Design the Perfect Desktop/Wallpaper

By Shanalyn
Victor

Pixelgirl Presents
Shana Logic

Lots of people ask me how I choose artists to give the “featured Desktop” award
to. There isn’t a science to it, but there are certain things that a
designer should try to do in order to ensure that their desktop image is usable,
attractive, and has their own personal style infused into it.

Know your audience

Before you decide on a composition for your desktop, you must pick an audience.
Different computers have different layouts.

• Pixelgirl Presents has a predominately Mac user audience. Therefore you
  need to have most of your compositional movement on the left side. That way,
  it won’t interfere with their icons and documents but can still retain
  some movement.  
• Macs use a dock. Try to design your desktops so that the important components
  aren’t covered by the dock (which is normally at the bottom of the screen)
• Your user is your friend. Remember, people have to USE their desktops so
  try to keep the functionality in mind when designing for them.

Below are some desktops from Pixelgirl
Presents that represent compositions that were created for Mac users.

By Frank Candamill

By Aleksander Maksimov

Less is more

There are many reasons why a person will use a desktop with a subtle design
on it instead of something that is really busy or bright.

• They are more universal. It doesn’t matter what kind of computer
  system a person is working on because the images will not interfere with
  their desktop files.
• It’s less distracting. It is easier for a person who is trying to
  work and read when their eye is not being constantly drawn back to their
  desktop.
• Your desktop isn’t too busy to be usable. If you choose a really
  bright color or pattern, a person might decide that even though your image
  is stunning, it does not make a good desktop.

Below are compositions that use the subtlety theory just mentioned.

By imrik

By Tim Anderson

By The-marazmo

Text as texture

Many people attempt to use text as the focal point of their desktops but what
is meaningful to the artist is not always meaningful to the subject. The best
way to use text is through texture.

What do we mean?

• You don’t have to use text at all. Sometimes people will add words
  to their desktops because they seem like they are “missing” something.
  Try to work through that without adding arbitrary text.
• Try to think of your piece as a whole. Make sure the text you use blends
  in well with your overall image.
• Superhip text. We know it’s hip to add all sorts of random words
  and numbers to your desktop. Just make sure that you keep it discreet; don’t
  let the words take more importance than the composition.

Below are some examples of desktops which successfully use text as texture.

By J3_concepts

By Kriegs

The final step

If you want an A, you have to do A work. As an artist, you have to protect
yourself by making sure you are only showing quality work with no mistakes
in it. This way, even if a person doesn’t appreciate your work, they
can still note the high quality and time it took you to make it.

Tips to help ensure a successful design

• Look at your work. Stand back and take a look at what you’ve done.
  Do you see anything off hand that isn’t working?
• Zoom in. Look at your image at 200% and make sure that there are no stray
  pixels or lines.
• Line everything up. Look to make sure components are where they should
  be.
• Show a friend. Sometimes it really helps to get someone else’s opinion.
  As artists we get so attached to our work, often we can miss something. (If
  you want, please feel free to submit your work and
  we’ll be happy to give you feedback)

We hope this helps you get on your way to making sexy desktops! We wish you
luck and look forward to all of the excellent work we just know you’ll
send us!

Shanalyn, the founder of Pixelgirl Presents is a designer and the owner of ShanaLogic.com. We hope her tips
will help you out! Please let us know if there are any topics that interest
you and we will try to include them.

Comments or suggestions, please send to Pixelgirl
Presents Headquarters