A system and method is provided for rendering visual effects, or other types of effects, in response to an occurrence of one or more events. The visual effects may be rendered on a user desktop in order to alert or otherwise notify a user that the one or more events have occurred. The events may reflect incoming messages (e.g., e-mails, instant messages, etc.), application and/or system problems, downloads, appointments, alarms, updates, network status, or other software and/or hardware related events. The visual effects may be rendered on the desktop to subtly notify the user when an event of interest occurs.