Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

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

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

Last updated:2025/5/21

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 (1–10)

starting dash

A start-dash design that captures the tension and passion of a school sports festival.

By boldly depicting the energy at the moment the runner kicks off the ground and the forward surge, it delivers a strong impact.

A realistic composition works well, but an abstract touch or artistic use of color is also recommended.

Incorporating motifs like a clock to symbolize time, as well as wind or light in the background, deepens the message of the courage to set off and the challenge toward the future.

The momentum that spreads across the poster will elevate the overall morale of the festival and create a commanding visual that inspires enthusiasm for the events.

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Baton Pass

A design that depicts the moment of a baton pass against a backdrop of blue sky and a school athletic field is an impactful way to convey an iconic scene from a sports festival.

The wide-open sky evokes hope and a sense of a broad future, while the act of handing off the baton portrays teamwork and deep bonds.

Adding a catchy slogan to this composition communicates the message through both visuals and words, capturing the viewer’s attention.

Emphasizing dynamism in the composition and paying close attention to the athletes’ taut muscles and expressions will create a powerful finish.

It will also generate a sense of presence as if the supporters are participating alongside the competitors, enhancing the atmosphere of the venue.

This is a classic yet profound art poster that visually expresses the importance of effort and cooperation.

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pictogram-style

I tried making the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony pictograms / How to use Adobe After Effects

pictogram-style

For those who are unsure about their sports day poster design, we recommend a simple, theme-rich pictogram-style approach.

The sequence of introducing multiple sports at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic opening ceremony became a hot topic, didn’t it? You can create your design digitally using a PC with tools like Adobe After Effects, or craft hand-drawn-style illustrations directly on drawing paper.

It’s also a good idea to unify the colors—white and blue, for example—to create a cohesive look.

Why not create illustrations that match the events featured at your sports day?

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Tacky poster

[No one tells you this] 4 ways to make a poster look lame

Tacky poster

A lame-looking poster can make a big impact on the entire student body when you use dynamic decorations and fonts.

While poster designs are often cool and stylish, intentionally making them tacky draws people’s attention.

Use ultra-bold fonts or distort the lettering—those kinds of embellishments will make the poster look delightfully uncool.

By disrupting consistency in colors and shapes, you can leave an even stronger impression.

Try creating a poster that becomes the talk of the school as you head into the sports festival.

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Design app

[iPad/iPhone] “Canva,” an app that lets anyone easily create stylish designs

Design app

A design app is the easiest and most stylish way to create a sports festival poster.

Even if you’re unsure about your design knowledge or drawing skills, you can work with confidence.

Just choose a template, replace the text and images, and your poster design is complete.

Prepare illustrations or photos related to the sports festival and try making a catchy poster that will grab the attention of the entire student body.

There are also free apps that let you do everything right on your smartphone, so be sure to check them out.

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in the style of an old folktale

A design based on the world of folktales is a unique idea that stimulates the imagination while emphasizing the theme of the sports festival.

By depicting universally known characters like demons, Urashima Taro, and Princess Kaguya, you can create visuals that blend familiarity with unexpected charm.

Incorporating Japanese elements into the background and props, and adding the title in brush-style lettering, will deepen the overall atmosphere.

Participants will feel as if they’ve become the protagonists of a story as they take on the events, which can strengthen the unity of the entire class.

You’ll be able to create a striking poster that combines visual intrigue with storytelling.

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YouTube thumbnail style

The Art of Thumbnails – In the Case of Tsukino Mito [NIJISANJI / How to Make Thumbnails]

YouTube thumbnail style

If you’re looking for poster ideas that will catch the eyes of all students and teachers, a YouTube thumbnail-style design is highly recommended.

Thumbnails are created to make viewers click based on a single image, so they all have strong impact.

You can come up with various ideas, such as setting a main character for the sports festival or turning a memorable message into bold on-screen text.

If you’re making a color poster, using warm tones is a great choice.

Try creating a thumbnail-style poster that students won’t be able to resist noticing.

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