[For Elementary Schools] Practical! A Collection of Graduation Illustration Ideas

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Composition nerdmutō
Started performing in bands in junior high school. Influenced by Japanese rock and UK rock, spent over 10 years continuing band activities while creating original songs. Later began producing Vocaloid tracks using Hatsune Miku, with total plays of released songs surpassing 10,000. Has five years of experience writing for music magazines. Currently works as a music writer, director, and composer, keeping a ground-level perspective on the scene by attending live shows across Japan. Now performs at live houses in Tokyo, showcasing guitar playing centered on acoustic guitar and informed by knowledge of chord analysis and guitar scales. Also writes leveraging a broad knowledge of music genres.

Are you looking for illustration ideas that can be used in an elementary school graduation yearbook or anthology? Reflecting on six years of memories and expressing days spent with friends and school events through drawings is a perfect activity for such a special milestone like graduation.

In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of illustration ideas to brighten up your graduation anthology.

From themes like sports day and the school trip to scenes depicting everyday moments with classmates, we’ve gathered a variety of motifs.

Whether you’re confident in your drawing skills or feel a bit unsure, we hope you’ll find an idea that suits you!

[For Elementary Schools] Useful! Collection of Graduation Illustration Ideas (21–30)

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 ❤Recommendation Tag: 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.

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mutō

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folding fan

@inkspire_creation
Designing a Handfan with Butterflies Full tutorial on youtube ArtSketch PencilDrawing HandFanDesign ButterflyArt SketchingTutorial ArtWithMe CreativeDrawing DrawingIdeas PencilArt RelaxingArt
♬ originalljud – Inkspire Creation – Inkspire Creation

This is a highly expressive motif whose fan-shaped spread lends itself to writing messages or patterns.

When you place words on the radiating surface, they naturally draw the eye and make it easier to convey your feelings.

Combining it not only with traditional Japanese patterns but also with stars or flowers can create a friendly, approachable mood.

Adding gradations of color gives a sense of depth and highlights the charm of hand-drawn work.

It’s also a great idea to add a name or date to complement the festive illustration.

It’s an idea that carries both the splendor and symbolism fitting for a new beginning.

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mutō

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[For Elementary Schools] Practical! Graduation Illustration Idea Collection (31–40)

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 *#YuruIllustration Planner 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.

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mutō

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Report card

@chiko303
Let's go ahead and express our gratitude to the teacher before winter break!Cute Illustration video Teacher Gratitude #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.

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mutō

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Class group illustration

@hatiiiiiiiiiiiii
Everyone in the class drew it.#Illustration Recommendation
Ecstasy – Polkadot Stingray

Covers for class anthologies and group message boards featuring illustrations of every class member are completely original with no two alike! It’s tough to draw dozens of portraits while capturing each person’s features, but it will undoubtedly become a one-of-a-kind piece.

If you give it to the homeroom teacher, it will surely become an unforgettable treasure for them.

While asking a student who’s good at drawing to handle the illustrations, it would be great for everyone else to support by gathering photos that show facial features clearly and helping with coloring, so you can finish it together through teamwork.

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yuri

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Copic illustration

@hiirohiiro1
GraduationCongratulations on your graduation!translation #illust
Original music – 🧞‍♀️ – m.xwtgpw

For an illustration perfect for a graduation card, how about drawing a friend in a school uniform with cherry blossoms? The uniform that accompanied student life will feel deeply nostalgic even when you look back years later.

Adding cherry blossoms really heightens the graduation atmosphere.

A tearful girl clutching her diploma is also a lovely touch.

Another recommendation is layering a photo-like drawing of smiling friends gathered together.

With the warmth of a hand-drawn piece, it can become a card that conveys unchanging friendship, even after graduation when everyone goes their separate ways.

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hiyori

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animal

How about a cute hand-drawn illustration to commemorate graduation? If you use animals as motifs, it will become a friendly piece that’s sure to make anyone smile.

For example, adorable animals like puppies and kittens have a way of warming people’s hearts.

Choosing chicks or small birds that evoke a sense of new beginnings is also recommended—perfect for marking the start of a new school or a new life.

Your work is sure to add a special touch to the big event of graduation! This is especially recommended when you want to create a gentle, relaxed cuteness with a soft touch.

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