[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] A Collection of Cool Illustration Ideas for Sports Day and Athletic Festivals (31–40)

golden eagle

When it comes to the king of raptors, it has to be the Steller’s sea eagle.

With a wingspan over two meters, it’s one of the largest eagles in Japan! Its striking black, white, and yellow coloring really stands out, making it a perfect idea for a sports festival design.

A bold depiction of a soaring eagle laid out together with the festival slogan would look awesome! The key to a clean, impressive look is carefully rendering details like each feather, the claws, and the beak.

It also pairs exceptionally well with brush-style lettering, so if you want to convey power, combining it with kanji could make it really pop.

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Kabuki

It could also be a good idea to use kabuki, a traditional performing art beloved since ancient times, as a motif.

When you think of kabuki, you picture the white-painted makeup, right? Designing around that will create a striking visual impact.

The tricky part is deciding which kabuki scene to depict.

You could draw the mie—the dramatic pose where the actor freezes with an intense expression—or imagine and illustrate kabuki performers taking part in a sports day.

Either way, that powerful atmosphere is sure to give your team a boost.

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fox

How about using a fox as the motif? Foxes aren’t just cute—they also evoke the image of a “strategist” and being “clever.” They’ve long been cherished as deities or sacred beings, too.

Because of that, they give off an auspicious vibe and a sense of strength.

Up to this point I’ve described a realistic fox, but it’s also great to make it adorably stylized or use a fox mask as the motif.

Try designing a fox that matches your class’s atmosphere!

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Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu

If you design the panel based on photos of an athlete, you can also convey the determination to perform like that athlete.

Which athlete you choose to feature is an important point, but here I recommend Yuzuru Hanyu, a standout in figure skating.

As a skater known for iconic movements like leaping high while rotating, he can effectively communicate a sense of dynamism.

You could focus on his powerful presence as he takes on competition, and it’s also a good idea to add a phrase inspired by his given name, “Yuzuru,” such as “Never yield victory.”

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reckless; working frantically/with all one’s might

For students who are good at drawing people or manga, I recommend designing a sports festival pamphlet that focuses on human figures.

In the image, both the boys and girls are depicted with distinctive poses, right? Adding just a bit of movement makes the characters more appealing than simply having them stand still.

Expressions are also key—smiling, shouting, or showing intense determination—differentiating facial expressions brings out each person’s individuality.

You can also enhance the sports festival vibe by adding text or slogans in the blank spaces, so be sure to use this as a reference!

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[Art] Cool Illustration Ideas for Sports Day and Athletic Festivals (41–50)

Baton Pass

When it comes to the star event of school sports festivals, isn’t it the relay? How about a design that focuses solely on the baton and hands during the baton pass scene for your pamphlets or posters? I recommend actually holding a baton, a tube, or even a rolled-up newspaper to check how the hand grips it.

If you don’t draw the hands accurately, the illustration will lack realism and lose its persuasive power.

Plus, by laying out text or a slogan, you can further enhance the overall design!

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radiant brilliance

Recommended for those struggling with sports festival or field day designs! By exaggerating a part of the body, you can create a powerful, spirited atmosphere.

In the image, the design focuses solely on a foot to convey the moment of taking a step forward.

Of course, it’s also fine to use hands or arms as motifs—not just feet! Paired with athletic shoes and white socks, it feels like a page from youth.

Even a single art medium can change the impression of the illustration, so it might be fun to try out different options.

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