It’s probably one part coronavirus, one part new-fancy-video setup, and one part “hey this is good for CodePen too,” but I’ve been doing more videos lately. It’s nice to be back in the swing of that for a minute. There’s something fun about coming back to an old familiar workflow.
Where do the videos get published? I’m a publish-on-your-own site kinda guy, as I’m sure you know, so there is a whole Videos section of this site where every video we’ve ever published lives. There is also a YouTube channel, of course, which is probably the most practical way for most people to subscribe. We’re about halfway to Wes Bos-level, so let’s go people!
I had literally forgotten about it, but ages ago when I set this up, I created a special RSS feed for the videos so I could submit it as a video podcast on iTunes. That’s all still there and working! An interesting side note is that this enables offline viewing, as most podcatchers can cache subscriptions. Why build an app when you get the core ability for free, right?
I keep the original videos, of course. On individual video pages, I show a YouTube player that could be somewhat easily swapped out for another player if something crazy happened, like YouTube closes down or drastically changed their business model in some way that makes it problematic to show videos with their player. The originals are stored in an S3 bucket. If you’re an MVP Supporter, I give you the original high-quality download link right on the video pages.
If your curious about my workflow, I’m still using ScreenFlow. I don’t make nearly enough use of it, but it feels good in that it’s fairly easy to use, very reliable and fast, and I can always learn and do more with it. Shooting my screen is easy and a built-in feature of ScreenFlow of course. I also have a Rode Podcaster on a boom arm at my desk so the audio is passable. And I just went through a whole process to use a DSLR camera at my desk too, and I think the quality from that is great. It’s all a little funny because I have this whole sound recording booth as well, with a $1,000 audio setup in there, but I only use that for podcasting. The lighting sucks in there, making it no good for video.
It’s this new desk setup that has inspired me to do more video, and I suspect it will continue! One thing I could really use is a new high quality intro video. Just like a five-second thing with refreshed aesthetics. Anyone do that kind of work?
Fresh Spring Vibes For Your Desktop (March 2019 Wallpapers Edition)
Fresh Spring Vibes For Your Desktop (March 2019 Wallpapers Edition)
Cosima Mielke
Spring is coming! With March just around the corner, nature is slowly but surely awakening from its winter sleep. And, well, even if spring seems far away in your part of the world, this month’s wallpaper selection is bound to at least get your ideas springing.
Just like every month since more than nine years already, artists and designers from across the globe got out their favorite tools and designed unique wallpapers to cater for some fresh inspiration on your desktop and mobile screens. The wallpapers come in versions with and without a calendar for March 2019 and can be downloaded for free. A big thank-you to everyone who submitted their designs! As a little bonus goodie, we also added some favorites from past years’ March editions at the end of this post. Now which one will make it to your screen?
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?
“Rays of sunlight had cracked into the bear’s cave. He slowly opened one eye and caught a glimpse of nature in blossom. Is it spring already? Oh, but he is so sleepy. He doesn’t want to wake up, not just yet. So he continues dreaming about those sweet sluggish days while everything around him is blooming.” — Designed by PopArt Studio from Serbia.
“When I think of March I immediately think of St. Patrick’s Day and my Irish heritage... and then my head fills with pub music! I had fun putting a twist on this month’s calendar starring my pet rabbit. Erin go Braugh.” — Designed by Heather Ozee from the United States.
“International Women’s Day on March 8th is the inspiration behind this artwork. Through this artwork, we wish a jovial, strong and successful year ahead for all women around the world.” — Designed by Sweans Technologies from London.
“A recent vacation to the Philippines led me to Palawan, specifically El Nido, where I was in awe of the sunset. I wanted to emphasize the year in the typography as a reminder that, even though we are three months in, our resolutions are still fresh and new and waiting for us to exceed them! Photograph shot by @chrishernando, whose companionship and permission I am so grateful for.” — Designed by Mary Walker from the United States.
In more than nine years running this community project, a lot of wallpaper gems have accumulated in our archives. Let’s take a look back and rediscover some March favorites from past years. Please note that these wallpapers don’t come with a calendar.
Let’s Get Outside
“Let’s get outside and seize the beginning of Spring. Who knows what adventures might await us there?” — Designed by Lívia Lénárt from Hungary.
“A day, even a whole month aren’t enough to show how much a woman should be appreciated. Dear ladies, any day or month are yours if you decide so.” — Designed by Ana Masnikosa from Belgrade, Serbia.
“Early spring in March is for me the time when the snow melts, everything isn’t very colorful. This is what I wanted to show. Everything comes to life slowly, as this bear. Flowers are banal, so instead of a purple crocus we have a purple bird-harbinger.” — Designed by Marek Kedzierski from Poland.
“Spring is the best part of the year! Nature breaking free and spring awakening is symbolic of our awakening.” — Designed by Silvia Bukovac from Croatia.
“Spring is round the corner. And very soon plants will grow on some other planets too. Let’s be happy about a new cycle of life.” — Designed by Igor Izhik from Canada.
“I am the kind of person that prefers cold but I do love spring since it’s the magical time when flowers and trees come back to life and fill the landscape with beautiful colors.” — Designed by Maria Keller from Mexico.
“After some freezing months, it’s time to enjoy the sun and flowers. It’s party time, colours are coming, so let’s spring!” — Designed by Colorsfera from Spain.
“If all you want is a little orange dinosaur MARCHing (okay, I think you get the pun) across your monitor, this wallpaper was made just for you! This little guy is my design buddy at the office and sits by (and sometimes on top of) my monitor. This is what happens when you have designer’s block and a DSLR.” — Designed by Paul Bupe Jr from Statesboro, GA.
“As days are getting longer again and the first few flowers start to bloom, we are all waiting for Spring to finally arrive.” Designed by Naioo from Germany.
“A daydream is a visionary fantasy, especially one of happy, pleasant thoughts, hopes or ambitions, imagined as coming to pass, and experienced while awake.” Designed by Bruna Suligoj from Croatia.
“Digital collage, based on past and coming spring. The idea is to make it eternal or at least make it eternal in our computers! Hope you like it.” Designed by Soledad Martelletti from Argentina.
“Exploring new worlds is much like exploring your own mind, creativity and knowledge. The only way to learn what’s really inside you is by trying something new. The illustration is my very own vision of the knowledge. It’s placed in some mysterious habitat. It’s a space where people learn from each other, find new talents and study their own limits.” — Designed by Julia Wójcik from Poland.
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.
Thank you to all designers for their participation. Join in next month!
