Illustration ideas to brighten the graduation yearbook: a collection of memorable designs
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!
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Illustration ideas to brighten up your graduation yearbook: A memorable design collection (21–30)
School lunch sceneNEW!
Just like classes, there’s a school lunch period every day.
When you look back, lots of memories come to mind: popular lunch menu items, rock-paper-scissors contests to win the leftover desserts, and the time spent chatting with friends.
Try drawing that memorable scene as a graduation illustration.
It could be a scene of you eating side by side with friends, or even the whole class to capture classic school-lunch moments—it sounds fun either way.
Delicious, enjoyable mealtimes are an essential part of school life.
Be sure to turn it into an illustration full of fond memories.
The way home
@manatsunoshuyaku The Last Walk Home With YouTranslation#illustration#IllustrationTime-lapse#IWantToBeOnTheRecommendationsGraduationSpring#CherryBlossom
♬ Spring Melancholy by Harucha – Grip
It’s a wonderful idea to depict a scene that feels like a snapshot of the usual, everyday view.
Using school events or club activities as motifs is nice, but how about focusing on the walk home this time, with particular attention to students seen from behind and the background? Setting the scene against places everyone has passed through—like the school building or the nearby route to and from school—could create a work that evokes empathy and emotion.
Including items that suggest graduation, such as diploma tubes or cherry blossoms, would further enhance the atmosphere.
Illustration ideas to brighten up the graduation yearbook: A memorable design collection (31–40)
A student looking up at the school building
It’s a beautiful, hope-filled piece, shot from a low angle, with a vast clear sky and a figure gazing at their alma mater.
Since they’re holding a diploma, we can assume it’s after the graduation ceremony.
The design conveys gratitude and memories of their school while hinting at expectations for the future, seen in the movement of the hair and the cherry blossom petals.
It’s an illustration with a meaningful message, not just cuteness, so please take this opportunity to use it as a reference and add your own arrangements.
A student looking up at cherry blossoms
@_nun_02_ Farewell, spring 🌸#Nina77#Illustration#Illustration makingMaking-of video#CherryBlossom#PR
♬ Original song – Nina77 – Nina77
The combination of uniforms and cherry blossoms makes for a wonderful design that evokes graduation, doesn’t it? By paying special attention to the main character’s expression, you can convey emotions like the loneliness and sadness of graduating, as well as hopes and expectations for the future.
If you adapt the uniform to match a specific school’s design, it’s sure to be a hit! Putting thought into creating consistency in tones and saturation will likely result in an even better finish.
Even if you’ve never drawn an illustration before, please take this opportunity to give it a try.
A student singing while crying
Many people may have the chance to sing in a chorus at their graduation ceremony.
This illustration focuses on a student who, while singing, is suddenly overwhelmed by tears along with thoughts like, “We’re really graduating,” “This will be our last chorus,” and “It’s sad that we won’t be able to see everyone anymore.” Of course, it’s wonderful to see graduation not only as something sad but as the start of the future.
Still, this piece, which expresses the emotions of the moment just as they are, really hits home.
The finished work has a sense of transparency, conveying a pure feeling.
Please feel free to use it as a reference.
garland
@happymoji_ayuayu The 6 best garlandsTranslationtranslation#Doodle
♬ CHILDAYS – BLOOM VASE
Garlands are characterized by their ability to convey both words and decoration at the same time.
By drawing words of gratitude or celebration—like “Thank you” or “Congratulations”—on the flags and combining them with star-shaped or round motifs, it becomes easier to express a celebratory feeling.
Drawing the lines a bit roughly adds the warmth unique to hand lettering, giving the entire card a soft atmosphere.
Arranging the garland in a gentle curve up and down adds rhythm to the space and naturally guides the viewer’s gaze.
By making good use of white space as you finish, you can also maintain readability.
school bag
@chiko303 Let's give a message card to a special friend! You can use it for graduation, too!Illustration videoCuteFriendBest friendGraduation
I won’t forget the days with you – my hands are like cream bread.
A familiar motif that brings back memories of everyday school commutes and time with friends.
By drawing not only the bag itself but also the keychains attached to it, you can express the artist’s individuality and the trends of the time.
Adding characters, club motifs, or initials will make it even more closely tied to your memories.
Tilting the subject slightly adds a sense of motion and enhances the hand-drawn feel.
Matching the colors closely to the real thing is also recommended.
It’s an idea that turns memories into something tangible, letting you cherish and preserve the ordinary moments of school life.