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 collection of memorable designs (41–50)
Message card for graduates
@nukoko_neko Message card for graduates!! 💐🎓✨ [Pen used] Pentel Matt HopGraduation CeremonyGraduationSimple illustration#IllustrationHow to drawLoose illustrationSurpriseTranslationPresentMessage Card#messagecard#present#surprise#gift#drawing
Haruka – YOASOBI
An idea for color ballpoint pens that are as rich and vivid as paint, producing crisp colors even on photos and colored paper.
The way the colors spread is beautiful, and just drawing graduation memories or words of support will instantly make a card look bright and festive.
Both text and illustrations are easy to see, creating a card that gently conveys the giver’s feelings.
You can enjoy simple decorations, and the act of making it becomes an exciting, joyful experience in itself.
Express your feelings for the graduates with a rainbow of pens!
Graduation illustration painted with watercolors
@den_illust Congratulations on your graduation 🌸Illustrator#Illustration#Yuru-fuwa illustrationWatercolorWatercolor paintingWatercolor illustrationWatercolor paintGraduationGraduation Ceremony
♬ Peach Story – Ren Chen & Yu Xing
Here’s a watercolor paint idea with gentle hues and beautiful bleeding effects.
You can softly and tenderly depict cherry blossoms, school backpacks, and memories of elementary school.
Even if you’re not confident in drawing, simply layering and blending colors can create lovely pieces.
Display them in the classroom or hallway, or include them with message cards, and the warm, special atmosphere will grow even more.
The joy of painting and the sense of accomplishment when you finish will become a lasting memory of elementary school.
Be sure to preserve your graduation memories in gentle colors!
Easy to draw! Message card
@hicono08 Starting today, I’ll also be posting an easy-to-draw version ✌🏻GraduationGraduation CeremonyMessage Card
On Nights When Cherry Blossoms Fall – Aimyon
Even with simple colors, just adding some lettering or small illustrations can make it look instantly stylish—such a lovely idea.
By adding tiny motifs like a school backpack, cherry blossoms, or a graduation cap, or simply writing words of thanks and encouragement, you can create a one-of-a-kind, special card.
The gentle brown tones create a calm mood, making it easy to achieve a beautiful result even if you’re not confident in drawing.
It’s fun to make, a joy to give, and a sweet way to color your graduation memories.
Handwritten POP!

Why not try incorporating handwritten POP displays during elementary school graduation season? With the warmth and playfulness unique to hand lettering, classrooms and hallways instantly take on a brighter, more joyful atmosphere.
Simply drawing easy motifs like school backpacks, cherry blossoms, or graduation caps adds a special touch perfect for the memories.
Even just varying letter size and color can turn a notice board into a real eye-catcher.
The “feeling of graduation” that only handwriting can convey reaches both adults and children with warmth.
It’s a perfect motif for graduation season that lets you enjoy the fun of making it, too.
butterfly
Butterflies fluttering lightly through the air convey a glamorous, lively feeling thanks to their distinctive movement.
How about incorporating such radiant butterflies into your illustration to evoke a soft, gentle atmosphere? A single butterfly can look a bit lonely, so try arranging several to create a cheerful mood.
If you compose them as a group heading somewhere, it can also express a sense of hope moving toward the future.
peacock
Male peacocks have vividly colored feathers.
They use them for courtship, but their striking beauty also makes them a popular motif.
They’re also considered symbols of “pride” and “prosperity,” so they’re a great motif for graduation yearbooks.
The key when drawing them is how delicately and beautifully you can depict the feathers.
The elegance of the large fan spreading around the body, the distinctive patterns that are almost like a design—drawing them takes patience, but once finished, it’s sure to be an eye-catching illustration.
jungle
The jungle, teeming with all kinds of creatures, has an eerie atmosphere, yet it’s also a place full of the joy of encountering new experiences.
How about depicting the jungle as a symbol of such an unknown world and conveying its energy and dynamism? When it comes to jungles, the animals are the key points, and your sense of which ones to choose will be put to the test.
Filling in the gaps so that the lush growth of the vegetation is clearly conveyed is also an important element that emphasizes the overall sense of vigor.



