Cool illustrations perfect for graduation. A collection of ideas you'll want to copy.

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.

As graduation season approaches, many of us find ourselves wondering what illustrations to draw for graduation albums, message boards, or chalkboards.

If you’re going to do it, you probably want something more special than a typical design—something cool that really stands out.

In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of cool illustrations perfect for graduation.

From stylish designs to dynamic, eye-catching pieces, we’ve gathered illustrations in a variety of styles.

You’re sure to find a favorite idea that will brighten your important new beginning!

Cool illustrations perfect for graduation. A collection of inspiring ideas you’ll want to copy (21–30)

White-eye and cherry blossomsNEW!

Let’s try drawing an illustration featuring the Japanese white-eye, known as a bird that heralds spring, and cherry blossoms, the quintessential spring flower.

The Japanese white-eye and cherry blossoms are often depicted together, likely because the birds are fond of cherry nectar.

Try expressing the feeling of spring and new beginnings by drawing white-eyes flitting among cherry blossom branches or perched on them.

The Japanese white-eye is characterized by its rounded body and the white eye-ring around its eyes, so be sure to keep those points in mind when illustrating.

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sasashina

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A student who looks at the worldNEW!

Graduates spread their wings from the places they’ve grown used to and set out into a new world.

There, they will see many things they’ve never seen before.

That kind of joyful future is captured in this illustration, “Students Seeing the World.” Graduation is a happy send-off, but some students may be filled with anxiety.

By adopting this motif for a graduation illustration, those worries may be eased, even just a little, and students might be able to focus on the wonderful future that lies ahead.

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sasashina

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hold handsNEW!

When you see an illustration of people holding hands, it really gives a sense of closeness, doesn’t it? It’s perfect for expressing bonds and friendship in a simple way! So for a graduation illustration, let’s depict students holding hands with a dynamic feel.

You could zoom in on a pair holding hands, or show a large group holding hands to express a circle of friendship.

While recalling the time spent with your dearest friends, be sure to create a moving illustration.

Every time you see it, it will surely make you feel encouraged.

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Desk and chairNEW!

Desks and chairs are things we use every day in school life, aren’t they? Conversations with friends you had while sitting there, memories of dozing off and getting scolded by the teacher, the changing seasonal scenery seen through the large windows…

Just seeing a desk and chair brings back all sorts of memories.

That’s exactly why they make the perfect motif for a graduation illustration.

Try carefully copying the actual desk and chair you used to capture those memories.

Adding shadows or recreating the doodles on the desktop will make the illustration even more striking.

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A road that continues into the distanceNEW!

A road stretching into the distance is both an illustration that connects to the future and, when you look back, invites you to imagine the path behind you.

The road you’ve walked so far, and the road you’ll walk from here on… Isn’t it the perfect motif for a graduation scene? As an illustration, a road alone can feel a bit lonely, so it’s a good idea to draw striking buildings at the end or along the sides, or cherry blossoms that evoke spring.

If you have time, you can get particular and make the road itself brick, too! Express a road that’s uniquely yours.

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sasashina

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Daruma

@heijin.tattoo
Today I’ll share my process for drawing a Daruma doll. I’ll update you on the shading part later! 🫶#fyp tattoo Budaoweng (roly-poly toy)#daruma #Tainan
♬ Stay With Me ( Phonk ) – Lunak

There are various theories about the origin of the phrase “nanakorobi yaoki” (fall down seven times, get up eight), and one of them points to the Daruma doll, which bounces back upright no matter how many times it’s knocked over.

Daruma are known as good-luck charms and are a classic New Year’s decoration; they’re also a common motif for amulets.

If you want to give graduates—who are about to forge their own paths into the future—a smart, thoughtful illustration, why not use a Daruma motif? It will convey a heartfelt wish: that especially when they feel on the verge of being defeated by difficulties, they won’t give up, but will stand up again and again and keep challenging themselves.

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sasashina

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dolphin

@sibandraw
Have you ever drawn a dolphin?? . #ardrawing #tutorial #drawing #pencilcolor #howtodraw
♬ just for me otis x pinkpantheress – OtisMadeIt

Dolphin illustrations can be a motif that brings both brightness and coolness to a graduation scene.

Because they evoke the image of moving forward while helping one another, they naturally suggest friendship and a positive future.

Depicting the moment of a jump strengthens the impression of challenge, while having them swim in a horizontal line conveys unity.

By keeping the lines smooth and emphasizing the body’s curves, you’ll achieve a dynamic finish.

They also stand out well with simple color schemes, making this a convenient idea to include in graduation albums and message boards.

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