Most of us spend excessive amounts of time looking at our smartphones. Recent research suggests, in fact, that we spend more time with our mobile phones than we do with our significant others. And whether we’re texting, browsing, or making calls, encounters with our smartphones—and by extension, our smartphone’s splash screens—have become so frequent that whatever background we’ve selected is virtually burnt into our retinas.
Given the somewhat disturbing statistics, and because most of us are suckers for beauty if not feng shui, it naturally follows that we’d do best to use backgrounds that make us happy or inspire us. This way, we can harmonize our energies and satisfy our sense for the aesthetic anew every time (150 a day, on average) we pick up our phones.
In today’s post, we’ll have a look at 10 choice background picks we think you’ll love.
1. This simple hot-air balloon print features a pleasing splash of colors in a whimsical design. An effective pick-me-up (pun somewhat intended…) for those less-than-perfect days.
[Image Source: Designspiration]
2. A new perspective on an old favorite: this modern, refreshing capture of the Eiffel Tower is visually stunning and conjures up romantic visions of strolling along Parisian streets to the tune of La Vie en Rose. (Not limited to Francophiles…)
[Image Source: Allegory]
3. The evocative image from The Giving Tree, Shel Silverstein’s iconic children’s book, strikes an emotional chord within. This background choice is a perfect combination of sweet, simple, and nostalgic—though possibly not the best option if the story sends your tear glands into overdrive…
4. Who doesn’t love the cloud? This simple, understated graphic, where heart and cloud become one, says it all.
[Image Source: Designspiration]
5. Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941, one of Ansel Adams’ signature photos, is tranquil yet undeniably striking. The beauty lies in its simplicity, and the image is an excellent background choice if you want a boost of serenity and inner focus every time you glance at your phone to check the time.
6. This Mondrian print is instantly recognizable and totally mod: a dose of retro fun that never goes out of style.
7. The owl, as A.A. Milne so cleverly showed us, is an ancient symbol of wisdom. Whether you’re superstitious, a birdwatcher, or simply like the graphic, this particular rendition makes for a cool, clean, minimalist background.
[Image Source: Designspiration]
8. Paul Klee’s 1925 painting The Goldfish was undoubtedly ahead of its time. With bold colors and an intriguing design, it’s an ideal home screen if you’re after that hip, alternative vibe.
9. The cover of Pink Floyd’s revolutionary album Dark Side of the Moon is the choice background for laser-light groupies, music lovers, and midnight tokers.
10. This one is for style fanatics. After all, Vogue patently embodies all that is fashionable in our world. What better way to pay tribute to the venerated institution than with one of its stunningly beautiful early covers?
That about does it for our “editor’s choice” smartphone backgrounds. Got any favorite splash screens you want to recommend? Let us know in the comments below.
This post was contributed to The Conduit Mobile Blog by guest blogger Emma Silverman. Emma lives in Philadelphia and works at a top secret startup in New York.