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 the graduation yearbook: A memorable design collection (31–40)
uniform
Here’s an idea for uniforms that strongly evoke the bonds formed through club activities and friendships.
By designing them to reflect the distinct features of each sport—like baseball or soccer—you can bring back the atmosphere of that time.
Adding jersey numbers and team names allows you to preserve both individual and group memories at once.
Slightly exaggerating wrinkles and movement in the drawing helps convey the intensity of the hours spent in games and practice.
With thoughtful posing, you can also heighten the sense of teamwork and immediacy.
It’s an illustration that encapsulates memories of effort and mutual support in a single image, filled with appreciation for your teammates.
The Blue Bird of Happiness
@ami_go_202 I had the honor of drawing the winner of the 10,000-follower milestone event, @pi_ko1827! Since their name was a bird, I imagined and drew a bluebird of happiness ❤RecommendationTag: Writer (for text/fiction)Translation
♬ Fly Like a Butterfly – Badanamu
The bluebird of happiness, a popular motif symbolizing new beginnings and fresh starts.
Adding a four-leaf clover or small flowers beside it subtly conveys wishes for the future and encouragement for someone special.
Drawn with fine lines, it gives an elegant impression and blends naturally with messages in albums or commemorative booklets.
Tilting the bird to face upward to the right strengthens the feeling of moving forward, delivering a positive spirit to graduates and classmates.
It’s an idea that appeals across generations, as it relies on meaningfulness rather than flashiness.
stationery
@ghitoestudio Hello, this is OSONO 😀 Today I’m introducing “casual stationery illustrations” ✨ • The key to illustrations is deciding which parts of the real object to simplify 💡✨ I think it’s easier to understand when you look at them alongside photos 😆 • A slowed-down version is uploaded on YouTube. If you’re interested, please take a look ✨ • You can find the YouTube link via the URL in my profile 👇 @ghitoestudio *#YuruIllustrationPlanner Illustration#PlannerDeco
♪ Original Song – OSONO – OSONO
Stationery with a friendly theme that symbolizes school life itself.
By combining and drawing items like pencils, erasers, notebooks, and rulers, it can prompt memories of daily efforts and study time.
Tilting the arrangement slightly or overlapping elements adds movement and makes the page feel livelier.
Being mindful of the shapes and colors you actually used will naturally connect to each individual memory.
Adding a message in the margins is also recommended.
It’s an idea that gently embraces school memories—not only studying, but also the time spent with friends.
hakama
@yukata33 Lately I’ve been reading Haikara-san ga Tōru, and I’m really into drawing hakama (*◜௰◝*). I sooo want to wear a hakama!Hakama#IllustrationWatercolor#watercolor#japan
♬ Cradles – Sub Urban
Hakama visually conveys the special feeling of graduation as a milestone.
By varying the colors of the kimono and hakama, it’s easy to express individuality, and drawing friends side by side lets you show each person’s distinct mood.
Rather than overworking the patterns, carefully rendering the lines of the obi and sleeves achieves both elegance and a hand-drawn feel.
Not only a standing pose, but also a rear view or a slightly over-the-shoulder composition naturally communicates the sense of stepping onto a new path.
Adding names and dates further enhances its commemorative value.
It’s a keepsake idea that lets you feel both memories and the future at once.
Report card
@chiko303 Let's go ahead and express our gratitude to the teacher before winter break!CuteIllustration videoTeacherGratitude#thankyou
♬ Gyutto – Sexy Zone
An idea for a memorable “report card” that lets students express gratitude to their teachers.
Use the subject fields as spaces to write feelings, and add episodes about how the teacher supported you to give honest emotions a concrete form.
Replacing the grading section with stars or smiley stamps will soften the tone.
Hand-drawing the borders adds warmth and makes it feel less formal.
Varying text size for emphasis is also effective.
It’s a heartfelt idea that, with a playful touch, conveys feelings that can’t be fully expressed in words alone and leaves a lasting impression.
Illustration ideas to brighten up your graduation yearbook: A collection of memorable designs (41–50)
musical note
@nawafzoom07 ابي ارسم الموسيقى وماعرفت كيف وهاذي النتيجه💖🚶🏻♂️🎶🎵+رايكم#اكسبلور#foyou#دعم#explore#رسام#رسامين#رسم#رسمي#رسمتي#تعليم_رسم#موسيقى
♬ In The End – Mellen Gi Remix – Tommee Profitt & Fleurie & Mellen Gi
This motif lightly expresses fun memories and time spent with friends.
By scattering only musical notes without drawing a staff, you create movement and rhythm on the page.
Varying the size and orientation of the notes enhances the cheerful mood and naturally brightens the viewer’s feelings.
It stands out well even in solid black, but adding a touch of color will soften the impression.
Draw it as if expressing the club or class atmosphere through sound, and the memories will come across more vividly—an idea that connects graduates’ feelings to the future.
balloon
When you draw balloons in a graduation anthology or on a message board, the entire page instantly becomes brighter and more festive.
Layering several balloons with ribbons naturally conveys a celebratory excitement and a sense of anticipation for the future.
Choosing pastel colors gives a gentle impression and makes the message text stand out.
Varying the balloon shapes slightly and staggering their heights will create a lively, hand-drawn feel.
You can also put names and dates inside the balloons to subtly preserve memories, which is another appealing touch.
It’s an idea that lifts the spirit and encourages a positive outlook.