Interactive wallpapers
Each of these starts as one still picture. We made the parts that ought to move actually move, the way they do in life, and gave you a way to put your hands on them: fog to wipe off a train window, koi that come to your finger, a pendulum that shows the Earth turning. Sound is there if you want it and off if you don’t.
Nothing matches that. Try one simple word, like rain, snow or water.
Seasons and holidays
Autumn Covered BridgeA dirt lane runs under two big maples to a weathered red covered bridge, with a stream alongside. Turn up the wind, or tap the trees to send a gust through.
Pumpkin Patch at SunsetPumpkins lie in a picked-over field at sunset, with a stand of dry corn and a red barn behind. Raise the breeze, or run your pointer through the corn.
Harvest Pumpkin PorchA farmhouse porch after sunset, with pumpkins, mums and a lit jack-o'-lantern. Mist drifts across the field, and the maple moves in the night breeze.
Thanksgiving Farmhouse WindowA table set by a farmhouse window on a clear fall morning. The curtains stir in a draft, clouds drift over the fields and two candles burn.
Apple Cider PressA wooden screw press in a farm room full of apples and morning sun. Turn the handle and the juice runs a little faster; tap the spout for a drop.
Christmas Living RoomA tabby asleep on the rug between a lit tree and a low fire, snow coming down in the garden. Nudge an ornament and it swings on its hanger.
Christmas Main StreetA small-town main street at dusk, with snow falling past the lamps and shop windows. Ring sleigh bells somewhere off in town.
Christmas Tree FarmA path between snowy firs to a red barn, at sundown. Touch a branch and its snow slides off and falls.
Snow GlobeA glass snow globe with a tiny village sits on a desk by a frosty window. Shake it and watch the snow whirl, then settle.
Gift Wrapping TableA kraft-paper gift with a red bow on a sunny table by the window. Tap the bow; now and then a draft lifts the loose end of the ribbon.
Christmas Wreath PorchA pine wreath on a front door at dusk, with a red bow and a small brass bell. Snow falls past the porch; touch the ribbon to ring the bell.
Gingerbread HouseA finished gingerbread house in the late-afternoon sun. Sift powdered sugar over it and watch it settle on the roof like snow.
Hot Cocoa by the WindowSteam curls off a mug of hot cocoa on a frosty windowsill while snow falls in the garden. Wave through the steam or melt the frost.
Rain and shelter
Rainy Train WindowRain runs down a sleeper-car window at night. Wipe the fog off with a finger, write in it, or call up a storm somewhere down the valley.
Midnight LaundromatOne washer turns its load in an empty laundromat while rain runs down the big street window. Switch it to spin, or let it rest.
Lantern LibraryRain runs down tall leaded windows while a brass lamp lights an open book. Turn its pages, dim the lamp, and listen to the rain.
Rooftop GreenhouseRain runs down the glass roof of a small greenhouse high above a city. A pipe trickles into a clay basin; touch it and one big drop falls.
Harbor CabinFrom a cabin doorway, rain on a fog-bound harbor at dusk. A skiff rides the water on its line, and every drop rings the surface.
Autumn Rain Bay WindowA window seat in a bay window on a rainy fall afternoon. Drops gather and run down every pane, and the maples in the yard move in the wind.
Fire and warmth
Cabin FireplaceA low fire in a stone hearth, snow falling past the cabin window. Stir the embers for a crackle and a few sparks.
Onsen Hot SpringSteam drifts off an outdoor stone bath under a timber roof. Touch the water to send a ring across it.
Desert CampfireA small fire between dark dunes under a sky thick with stars. Poke the coals, feed the fire, let the night air move the canvas.
Candlelit StudyOne beeswax candle on a dark desk. Its flame leans when the air moves and rights itself again, and dust drifts through its light.
Bakery at DawnA stone bakery before sunrise, the oven glowing behind its iron door and a fresh loaf steaming on the table. Bring the dawn up.
Forests and gardens
Firefly GroveFireflies drift above a dark clearing and come closer when you hold still. Turn up Sync and they start to blink together.
Mossy WaterfallA narrow waterfall runs into a moss-lined pool in a shaded hollow. Change the flow, raise the mist, and touch the pool for a ring.
Windmill MeadowA wooden post mill turns its sails over a late-summer meadow. Raise the wind and the grass bends harder; drag across the field to send a gust.
Bamboo CourtyardTall bamboo leans in slow gusts over a stone courtyard, and a wooden wind chime hangs at the edge of the eave. Tap it for one soft note.
Cedar CreekA shallow creek runs over pebbles between old cedars and ferns. Set how fast it flows, and tap the water to send a ring downstream.
Red Maple GardenA Japanese maple in full red over a moss garden and a still pond. Its crown sways in the breeze, and a leaf you call down lands on the water with one small ring.
Mountains and parks
Ocean and water
Moonlit Tide PoolA clear pool in the rocks under a crescent moon. Touch it for rings, and every so often a swell comes through the gap from the sea.
Deep Blue ObservatoryMoon jellyfish pulse slowly past the window of an observatory under the sea. Send up a plume of bubbles, and dim the room to watch.
Koi GardenThree koi swim slow, wandering loops beneath a garden bridge. Touch the water and the nearest one turns and comes over to see.
Sailboat at AnchorThe deck of a wooden sailboat at anchor in a quiet bay. The horizon rocks a little, the town’s lights shimmer on the water, and the lantern is yours to turn up or down.
Glacier LagoonBlue ice rests in a still lagoon under a glacier. Touch the water for rings, let the wind ruffle it, or touch the big floe to hear it crack.
Autumn River RapidsA broad river runs toward you over shallow rapids, between banks of orange and gold. Set its speed, touch the water, and watch the odd leaf go by.
Sky and weather
Aurora CampGreen aurora folds over a lit tent on a snowy ridge. Push the curtain around, turn the activity up to a storm, or dim the lantern to see it better.
Snowfall WindowSnow falls past a wooden window onto a garden gate. Steer the wind, rattle the gate, and keep the tea from going cold.
Cloud ObservatoryA brass telescope waits in an open dome above a slowly rolling sea of clouds. Let dusk turn to night and watch more stars come out.
Monsoon VerandaMonsoon rain pours over a tropical garden while water runs down a copper rain chain into a stone basin. Touch the chain to send a surge down it.
Thunder PlainA storm moves along the far edge of a golden prairie. The tall grass sways in the wind, and now and then the distant cloud lights from inside.
Animals and pets
Journeys and places
Night FerryA small ferry crosses a dark harbor toward a lit city. The water streams past the hull, the deck rolls a little, and the lights shimmer.
Floating MarketA market canal after the last boat comes in. Lanterns glow under the stall roofs, the tied boats ride the water, and a few moths circle the light.
Canal Bridge at DuskA brick bridge reflected in a still canal as the light goes. Touch the water for rings, or lift the iron ring and let it knock against the wall.
Mountain Cable CarAn empty cable car glides over a misty alpine valley toward the next tower. The slopes drift past, mist flows along the lake, and now and then you pass through cloud.
Desert Caravan StopA woven shelter at the foot of the dunes after sundown. Swing the hanging flask, let the breeze drift the sand, catch the last light on the kettle.
Space and future
Neon Rain AlleyRain falls through the neon of an empty back alley. Touch the puddles to send rings across the reflections, or tap the gutter for a drip.
Orbital GreenhouseHerbs grow in trays beside a round window while Earth slides past below. Brush the leaves, run the water, slow the orbit or speed it up.
Lunar OutpostA one-room habitat looks out across the Moon at a half-lit Earth. Lean to look around the window, and speed up the Earth to watch it turn.
Starship BridgeAn empty bridge faces a field of stars. The ship rolls slowly; push the speed toward light speed and watch the whole sky gather ahead of you.
Quiet Server VaultA quiet aisle between rows of server cabinets. Status lights blink slowly, a ribbon stirs in the airflow, and the fans hum.
Fantasy and wonder
Sleeping Dragon CoveA small moss-green dragon sleeps on a rock above a sea cove. Watch it breathe, lean in closer, or nudge it for one long sigh.
Floating IslandsGrassy islands float above a drifting sea of clouds. Steer the breeze through the grass, ring the brass charm, nudge an island and watch it settle.
Crystal CavernDrips ring a clear pool beside a cluster of pale crystals, and dust drifts in the daylight. Touch a crystal and warm light climbs through it.
Enchanted WorkshopBrass gears turn and a small leather bellows breathes on a workbench at night, while gold flecks circle in a glowing flask. Pull the lever.
Celestial OrreryA brass orrery carries nine planets around a glowing sun, each at its true speed compared with the others. Point at one to learn its year.
Studios and machines
Reel-to-Reel TapeA tape deck on a walnut console, its two reels turning slowly in afternoon light. Flip the switch to stop it, or run it at double speed.
Pendulum HallA long brass pendulum swings across a sunlit stone hall. Draw it aside and let it go, then speed up the Earth and watch its swing turn.
Clockmaker’s BenchAn unfinished brass clock on a sunny workbench keeps your own time and ticks once a second. Wind its crown and look over its movement.
Letterpress StudioA cast-iron platen press in a sunny print shop, its flywheel turning slowly. Grab the rim to spin it by hand, or pull the handle.
Ceramic StudioA fresh clay bowl turns on a potter’s wheel in the morning light. Set the speed, wet the rim with a finger, tap the water.
Model Train Under the Christmas TreeA model steam engine and tender on a loop of track under the tree, running back and forth along the straight in front.
Christmas Steam StationA steam locomotive waits at a snowy platform hung with garlands, its steam lit gold by the setting sun.
Playful worlds
Zen Sand TrayA brass funnel pours a thin stream of sand into a stone tray. Rake it, draw in it, smooth it flat and start over, then keep what you made.
Paper Boat PondThree paper boats float on a still garden pond. Touch the water and rings spread out and rock them; drag a finger for a wake.
Soft Machine CloudsFabric clouds hang in a sunlit gallery and breathe slowly as air fills them. Touch one to press the cloth, or turn the airflow down to calm them.
Bioluminescent AquariumThree glowing jellyfish row through a dark tank. Stir the water and it sparks blue; touch a jellyfish and a wave of light runs down its body.
Glass Marble GardenTwo glass marbles sit in a carved stone channel. Drag one along, send it rolling into the other, and watch its swirl turn.
How they’re made
The pictures came out of an image generator, the sounds out of a sound-effects generator and the Christmas music out of a music generator, all from prompts we wrote; the carols are old tunes, arranged new. Everything that moves is ours: we work out from each picture where its glass, water, sand, sky or fire is, make only those parts move, and loop each recording so it fades into itself instead of jumping back to the start. Nothing here flickers, and light only changes slowly. The train window’s thunder lifts the far sky once, fades over a few seconds, and can’t come again for ten seconds. The bakery’s dawn brightens the whole room, but only when you move its slider, and it takes about six seconds to get there. The fireflies blink, but each is a speck of light, and a blink takes a second and a half.
Something to watch instead
If you’d rather not touch anything, the screensavers are 222 scenes drawn live in the browser, with music, and the videos play on a TV without a browser at all.
