[Art] Collection of Poster Design Ideas for the Sports Festival

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
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.

If you’re in the art club or the manga research club, or if you regularly draw and are interested in design, you might find yourself being asked to make the sports festival poster.

Since it’s something the entire student body—and the whole school—will see, you want to put your best effort into it.

But when you actually take on the job, you might find yourself thinking, “I can’t picture what I should make.”

So in this article, we’ve compiled ideas for sports festival poster designs.

We’ll cover a wide range, from those using traditional art techniques to easy designs you can make with free smartphone apps.

Use the approach that suits you and the design ideas you like as a reference, and give it a try!

[Art] Sports Festival Poster Design Ideas (31–40)

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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yamamoto

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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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yamamoto

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White Snake

Many of you have probably seen sports day posters that use a “white snake” as a motif.

It’s a fairly standard choice and is used nationwide.

Since ancient times, the white snake has been said to be a messenger of Benzaiten and is known as a good-luck charm for improving financial fortune.

It’s unrelated to sports day, but for some reason it’s become a staple, so if you don’t want to draw something as intricate as a dragon, trying a white snake might be a good idea.

Like dragons, it’s a streamlined subject, which makes it easy to create a sense of depth and perspective, so it’s recommended.

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Ryo

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Night Parade of One Hundred Demons

If you want a cool or dark vibe, designing a Hyakki Yagyō is recommended.

Hyakki Yagyō refers to a procession where a wide variety of yōkai roam in a line.

Thanks to anime and manga, many people may associate it with being “strong” or “cool.” If you’re unsure how to depict it since these creatures don’t exist in reality, try referencing the Hyakki Yagyō scroll paintings or the illustrations of manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.

The sight of various yōkai forming a procession can also convey a message of unity and solidarity.

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yamamoto

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Runner Reflected in the Eyes

Depictions reflected in the eye are frequently used in films and commercials, so I think they feel familiar to everyone.

In that sense, this “runner reflected in the eye” is a poster that particularly grabs attention.

However, while such an image may seem simple, in reality you have to draw the subject reflected in the pupil with a fisheye perspective.

This is a very difficult technique, so using an image editing program like Photoshop to combine existing assets is one viable approach.

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Ryo

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[Art] Sports Day Poster Design Ideas (41–50)

paper airplane

If you want to create a simple poster, a paper airplane design is recommended.

You can use it as an eye-catching element, or you can feature a bold tagline and draw a paper airplane to accompany it.

The great thing about a paper airplane design is that you can create it without having to draw.

You can make it not only with image editing software like Photoshop or Illustrator, but even with tools like Word.

On the other hand, because this type of poster relies on design skills in other elements, it’s a great challenge for those confident in their design abilities.

Give it a try!

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Ryo

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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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kappamaki

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