If you have been with Windows Phone long, you know there weren’t many options to customize. Developers tried getting it done the other way round, but then things changed with the 8.1 updates. One of the top-rated apps for changing the start screen background was Custom Tile Maker. The same developer, Ricc Webb, has now launched Tile Art in conjunction with Microsoft ( the dev is actually working in Microsoft).

#TileArt app lets you find a perfect background image, which looks good and doesn’t hide an important part of the image. You get a clear preview of the tile sizes you want. Here are the main features:

Create your own custom tile layout
Upload transparent PNG images
Access free #TileArt Gallery
Customize your lock screen
Share home screen with your friends

What makes this app stand out is its less effort-taking process. You have a Tile Art Gallery from where you can pick up images, create your own tile template and get the lock screen done, all at the same time.

How to use it?

First, find an image that you want to use as a background.
Next, use Create Tile option in the app.
Select an image from your camera roll or the gallery.
Now decide your layout. You can go back and forth the start screen to check how your existing layout is.

Once done, start pinning the tiles from the app.
Once done, take a screenshot and then use that as background.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5xZbiCm_Dg

Now, if you are a heck of an enthusiast to get a new style to your start screen, Lumia conversation/ Microsoft is holding a contest in conjunction with the new #TileArt app, teaming up with Talenthouse. They will pick four artists who will have their awesome creations published in the #TileArt app gallery. The winners will also get $1,500 and a Surface Pro 3. The last date for entries is Feb. 24.