[Art] Cool illustration ideas for sports days and athletic festivals

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.

Especially if you’re good at drawing, with sports day season approaching, your school might have asked you to design the cover for the sports festival pamphlet, right?

Designing illustrations that many people will see is tough!

You accepted the request but have no ideas… it happens all the time.

In this article, we’ve put together some cool illustration ideas related to school sports days!

Use the ideas here as inspiration and create your own original piece!

[Art] Cool Illustration Ideas for Sports Day and Athletic Festival (21–30)

horse

An illustration with a horse theme is a powerful, stylish idea that really stands out at sports days and athletic festivals.

The image of a horse sprinting at full speed vividly conveys a class’s unity and passion as they race toward victory.

With its mane streaming and its body thrusting forward, the horse is sure to inspire courage and deliver an impactful presence to viewers.

Add a sunset or a wild landscape in the background for an even more dramatic effect.

As a true steed of victory, it will command everyone’s attention at the venue.

Definitely consider incorporating it into your illustration!

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Haikyuu-style

@___deco54
Haikyu!! Volume 7 is finished!! Golden Week is the real battle... (((Haikyu!!Copying (sketch practice)Volume 7 #7 Volume Cover Cover #Illustration Picture Time-lapse
♬ Original song – Garacchi 👀🎩 – Garacchi 👀🎩

Manga covers often have really cool compositions, don’t they? Why not adapt a cover you could emulate and use it to design your sports day pamphlet or poster? In the video, we’re drawing the cover of the popular volleyball manga Haikyuu!!.

The main character is placed in the center, and by tilting the figure slightly, it creates a sense of motion—that’s the key point! The figures in the background are drawn a bit smaller to add depth.

It’s an idea that could definitely work for sports day designs, so be sure to use it as a reference!

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Breaking Glass

https://www.pinterest.jp/pin/648799890046925383/

If you’re having trouble coming up with a design for your sports festival pamphlet, consider using “shattered glass” as inspiration.

Incorporating shattered glass into the design can create a piece that balances dynamic human energy with strong visual appeal.

In the sample image, the motif is a person running to match the sports festival theme—feel free to use it as a reference.

By carefully depicting even the shards of glass flying apart, you can achieve a refined and stylish result.

Give it a try!

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God of War

Let your imagination expand and start drawing! Here are some ideas for depicting gods of war.

How about drawing deities based on Japanese mythology? Among the posts, we see illustrations of Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess who symbolizes light, compassion, and truth—held as the most revered deity and the ancestral figure of the Imperial Family.

Try creating your own interpretation with respect, through choices like color palettes, clothing design, facial expressions, and hairstyles.

When you draw with a clear theme, origin, and meaning, it may help students more easily appreciate the appeal of the artwork.

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RPG-style

An RPG-style illustration is a unique and cool idea that turns a sports day or athletic festival into an adventurous stage.

If you depict the entire class as characters like heroes, mages, warriors, and clerics, forming a party aiming for victory by defeating rivals, it will boost team unity as well! Listing items like “Friendship,” “Grit,” and “Speed” in an inventory will give it a strong game-like feel.

The storytelling of allies joining forces in battle will fire up the hearts of viewers.

It will truly be an illustration of challenging the final boss known as Victory.

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Cobra

A class illustration themed around a cobra is a cool, striking design idea that radiates a sharp presence at sports festivals and field days.

The cobra’s piercing gaze and fluid movements as it takes down its prey symbolize quiet determination and explosive agility, mirroring a class that shines in decisive moments.

By using an intimidating pose and venomous colors to enhance the impact, you can leave a powerful impression on opposing teams.

It’s a design that expresses a calm yet unyielding will that never lets a targeted victory slip away.

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shark

An illustration with a shark motif is a cool design idea that commands attention with overwhelming presence and a sense of speed.

As the king of the sea, the shark’s precise targeting of its prey and its sharp, relentless drive mirror a class striving for victory.

Emphasizing its sharp teeth and slanted eyes creates a powerful, impactful visual.

Depicting a shark cutting through the waves conveys the will to overcome any difficulty and is sure to capture the audience’s gaze.

The result is a dominant design that targets value with agility and composure.

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