The Art Behind Windows 10's Iconic Desktop Background
My first laptop experience was defined by the user-friendly interface of Windows 10, a platform that garnered both user admiration and critical acclaim. The aesthetic appeal of its default desktop background—a serene blue window pane—captured the imagination of many. Like countless others, I assumed this iconic image was a product of sophisticated CGI, thanks to its crisp and ethereal quality. However, a recent scroll through Instagram unveiled a surprising truth: the beloved image is, in fact, a photograph.
How did they photograph that?!
Curiosity piqued, I delved into the depths of the internet for answers. The creator behind this captivating desktop background is none other than designer Bradley Munkowitz, known in the creative world as GMUNK. His website features a dedicated section, along with a YouTube video, detailing the intricate process that brought this artwork to life.
“We built the actual Windows logos and brought them to life through our use of inventive camera angles and evocative volumetric lighting,” GMUNK elaborated. He described the meticulous process: “We took a piece of black cardboard and cut the Windows logo into it: four squares, each like a window in their own right.” This was followed by a similar cut through a piece of acrylic, ensuring a perfect match between the two surfaces. This clever design created a clear rim around the logo’s interior, allowing light to play beautifully with the shapes.
The team then projected light into the cutouts, slightly off-center, to simulate a natural light source emanating from the “window.” For those who find the technicalities daunting, GMUNK’s video serves as a visual guide. Essentially, they captured a multitude of laser shots through a real window pane, compiling around 3,000 images to create the final composite.
If you’re surprised, you’re not alone
The revelation has left many astonished. One Instagram user candidly remarked, “I’m gonna be real, I would never have believed that wasn’t CG if it weren’t for those behind-the-scenes pics.” Another chimed in, noting that the Windows landscape and clouds background is a “100% unedited photo. Pure, natural beauty.” While the hill depicted is indeed real and largely untouched, Microsoft has acknowledged that they enhanced the green hues of the grass for visual impact.
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