Illustration ideas to brighten the graduation yearbook: a collection of memorable designs

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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!”
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!

Have you ever found yourself unsure about what kind of illustration to draw on the cover when making a graduation anthology? Not only the writing inside, but the cover illustration is also an important element of a graduation book.

There are plenty of motifs you might want to draw—classroom scenes, memories with friends, and more—but when it’s time to actually draw, many people end up wondering how to go about it.

In this article, we’ll introduce illustration ideas that are perfect for graduation anthologies.

We’ve gathered ideas that work well not only for the cover but also for interior spot illustrations.

Whether you’re confident in your drawing skills or not, you’re sure to find helpful tips.

Let’s decorate your graduation anthology—something you’ll treasure for a lifetime—with wonderful illustrations!

Illustration ideas to brighten up the graduation anthology: A collection of memorable designs (61–70)

Calligraphy

Calligraphy, which beautifies the letters themselves, is also a simple yet highly persuasive form of expression.

There are special flat pens sold for it called calligraphy pens, but you can achieve beautiful results with a mechanical pencil used in class or with the brushes you used in calligraphy or art lessons.

Drawing on black construction paper with white chalk can also have a nice charm.

Calligraphy is, after all, an art, so don’t worry about how good your penmanship is—just follow your heart and draw lines freely until you’re done.

Even if it’s crooked, that can actually become a charming feature.

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Masuda Bunka

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nature

Majestic trees with their roots firmly planted in the earth, grand mountain ranges, rivers that carry life-giving water from headwaters to tributaries, and the clear blue sky that lifts our spirits…

Couldn’t natural landscapes be the perfect motif for graduates brimming with infinite potential? Especially for schools located in nature-rich areas, depicting familiar scenery will make the class anthology all the more memorable.

And if the anthology’s title ties in with nature, it will be an even better match!

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yuri

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camera

A camera illustration is a perfect fit for the image of an anthology filled with many memories! For a graduation yearbook, I think it would be lovely to combine a camera illustration with photos as well.

It’s also recommended to draw an illustration where you and your friends are reflected in the camera’s lens.

People will be impressed when they look closely at the illustration and notice the little trick.

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yamamoto

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Comic-style panel layout

These days, people often draw illustrations and manga using drawing apps and illustration software.

And just like how some schools offer classes in manga creation, manga has become a familiar part of life for people of all ages.

One of manga’s charms is the unique touch you can’t get with digital illustration.

The process itself—carefully sketching, inking with a G-pen, and applying screentones—can become a cherished memory.

As graduation approaches, you can almost feel the creators’ passion coming through their work.

It would be perfect for a graduation yearbook cover.

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Nakajima Junko

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papercut style

If you want to finish an illustration with a unique vibe that stands out from others, I recommend giving it a paper-cutout style.

Unlike actual paper cutouts, it’s still a flat illustration, but by drawing a double outline around characters and objects, you can create a sense of depth.

Before you start drawing, it helps to look at various paper cutout works and absorb their textures—that will make things go more smoothly.

Also, a key tip for achieving a paper-cutout look is to avoid making the design too intricate.

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yamamoto

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