In the world of desktop customization the easiest thing to
change and also the easiest thing to create is the wallpaper, everyone can
use them and just about any one with a image editor can make one. In this
article I will try to help the newcomer avoid many of the little accidents that
I have made and that I have watched others make.
Frst a note about myself. I am not an expert in the
production of wallpapers or application skins. However I have been a part
of the community since 1999 and even built walls and cursors for windows 95 and
98. My Wincustomize gallery is here Link.
As you read through this remember that it is guide for
someone who is new to desktop customization and not a set of hard rules I'm
trying to impose. I have, however learned in the past few year that if you follow
these guidelines life will be easier. With that let's get goin'.
What is a wallpaper?
A wallpaper is a piece of art that fit's the standard screen dimensions to be used as a desktop background. It should also be a well thought out piece that does little to interfere with the users interaction with the computer. More on that later.
What makes a good wallpaper?
That can only be answered by the user. However there are some thing that an author can do to ensure that a wallpaper is good.
Notice that I said good, a wall can be awesome to you but be only average to the
rest of us.
Things for the author to do.
Create the wallpaper for yourself.
If you create the wallpaper for you own use then you will always do your best and probably be more critical of your work. (if I have to look at it everyday I 'd better do a good job 
.)
Also if you create that wall for yourself and are satisfied with it no comment
that someone might make should bother you.
Use the wallpaper yourself.
The most important thing, in my opinion, is to use the wallpaper for a few days before uploading it. I know that it's hard not to finish and upload so that you can get feedback from others, but I have trashed or reworked many a wallpaper after looking at it for a day or two. Bottom line here is if your still happy with the wallpaper after a day or two others will be also.
As pointed out to me in a forum, your mileage may vary here, some like to use a
wall for a week or more before releasing it for public consumption.
Watch the edges.
On the edges of a wallpaper be careful how busy it is. Especially the left edge where most people's icons end up. There's nothing worse than an awesome wallpaper that makes it impossible to read or see the icons easily. Note: Many people such as myself also have Icons on 2 or even all edges of the
screen such as link.
Take criticism well.
If you create wallpapers or skins of any sort there will be some negative comments. (the comments may even be from me ) Don't get upset most people are trying to help you learn or do better. However the wallpaper was created by you, for you, so changing it is also up to you. I rarely ever change a wallpaper after it has been released, maybe additional colors if requested.
Guys I don't profess to be an expert wallpaper designer and never will be but I do try to follow these guidelines for all the wallpapers that I upload and trust me it keeps you guys from having to look at a lot of crap that I might upload if I didn't follow them.
Thanks you all for reading.
