Default Windows Desktop Background

I’m always pretty interested to see what the default background for a new operating system will be, as they’ve got to be one of the most carefully designed single images that the company ever makes.

If we look at the current Windows 7 background, we can see that windows logo is bang in the middle, but with pretty much all the rest of the image directing your attention to the bottom left;


What this does is subconsciously direct your attention to the start button, which basically acts as a gateway to everything on your computer

Your attention is also drawn to the left side of the screen generally by the fact its lighter an more active, and that’s where microsoft want it to be as its where all your files and program shortcuts are automatically placed.

Its also worth noting that blue is by far the main colour of the image, which helps to calm the viewer and lower their blood pressure, which is helps to avoid frustration when using the operating system.


if you compare this to the default Mac OSX background, we can see a slightly different metholodogy at work:




In OSX, files and folders are automatically placed on the right, while shortcuts are either on the left or the bottom, in the dock. This means the image has to bridge both the left and right sides of screen, which simultaneously leaving room for the dock and directing the viewers attention toward it.
In this case, we can see the rays of light acting a bridge, and the area of high activity and light in the lower middle draws our eyes toward where the dock will be, while the area of dark at the bottom leaves enough space for the dock and makes sure that the background doesn’t detract from the icons on the dock itself.