A lovely graduation song

Ideas for stylish illustrations you’ll want to use during graduation season

Keyboard playerSAKI
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!”
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

When graduation season arrives, there are more occasions when you’ll want to add illustrations to graduation anthologies, message cards, or group notes along with your congratulatory words.

If you’re going to draw something, why not choose stylish illustrations that perfectly suit graduation scenes and create a special feel? In this article, we’ll showcase a wide range of chic, graduation-themed illustrations—from classic motifs like cherry blossoms and diplomas to sophisticated designs.

Find the perfect illustration to accompany a message to someone special!

Perfect for graduation season! A collection of stylish illustration ideas (41–50)

Original signature-style illustration

https://www.tiktok.com/@aaru.store/video/7343163587835235585

Perhaps more people than you’d expect have practiced their own signature.

Those fluid, celebrity-style signatures are so cool, aren’t they? An original, signature-style illustration is perfect for a message card cover or to add at the end of a note! During graduation season, it could be fun for the whole class to brainstorm one together when making a message card for a teacher.

Who knows—maybe someday, the signature you all created through trial and error will get a chance to be showcased to the world in some form!

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ribbon

[Simple Illustration] How to Draw a Cute Ribbon Frame [Great for Planners and Letters!] | draw with me

ribbon

At graduation ceremonies, drawing memories in graduation albums or on message boards tends to leave a lasting impression.

Ribbons also symbolize the bonds that connect people, and they’re said to be a sign of friendships that won’t break even after graduation.

By drawing such ribbons, you might feel reassured, no matter how different your paths may be.

There are many types of ribbons, including ones you can make look three-dimensional, and by simply adding text or patterns, you can create a ribbon with a premium feel.

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Illustrated letter set frame

https://www.tiktok.com/@srkmnnmn.7/video/7071410173532835073

With an illustration of a letter set featuring three items—an envelope, writing paper, and a pen—you can neatly contain your message and add a sophisticated touch.

If you draw them overlapping or add shading with a thicker pen, you’ll create a sense of depth, and adding eyes or a mouth can turn it into a cute design.

It might also be nice to unify the last page of each person’s section in a class anthology with a letter set illustration and use it as a space to write messages to classmates and teachers.

Please give it a try.

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Graduation Ceremony Countdown Calendar

@kitsune_no_ha_koyou
Graduation ceremony countdown calendar. I was in charge on the day, using my original illustration.Graduation Ceremony Countdown Calendar Original Illustration Congratulations on your graduation!Song selection is a matter of preference.
Fake Hero – Room 703

How about making a countdown calendar to graduation and displaying it in the classroom? Even if it isn’t something handed out to everyone like a class anthology, the memories of having it up in the classroom and turning a page each day as graduation approaches will be deeply etched in everyone’s hearts.

It’s fine to start on a neat milestone like 10 days or one month before, but you could also have each student take charge of one page and set the total number of days to match your class size.

If you print out the pages and bind them into a booklet, everyone can keep it as a memento!

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Anime-style illustration

[For Beginners] How to Draw Anime- and Manga-Style Caricatures! A Foolproof Chibi/Deformation Method! [Pro Manga Artist Illustration & Comics Class] How to Draw an Anime Caricature

Anime-style illustration

If you want to give your anthology cover a striking impact, anime-style illustrations are the way to go! For a class anthology, you could draw your classmates and teacher in an anime style; for a grade-wide anthology, you might pick a few memorable events to depict.

The content opens up lots of ideas.

Match the typography to the artwork as well—choose a bold look or a soft, cute feel to suit the anime-style illustration.

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Group message decoration

[Graduation] I tried drawing cute illustrations on a message board🌸 [Ohuhu/Pen Drawing] How to Draw a Graduation Illustration

Group message decoration

It’s common to give teachers and upperclassmen a message board (shikishi) with group notes at graduation! For those wondering what design to choose, we recommend a flower-themed decoration.

Basically, draw the outlines of the illustrations with a black pen.

Try using a thicker pen for the main lines and a finer pen for the details to vary the line weight.

When adding color, keeping it within the same color family will create a clean, cohesive look.

Motifs like sunflowers, cherry blossoms, or bouquets are relatively easy to draw and add a festive touch, so they’re especially recommended.

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Photographic reproduction of a school building

Photographic imitation of the elementary school building by an elementary school student; graduation anthology cover illustration (6th grade)

Photographic reproduction of a school building

Here is a proposal for an illustration that reproduces the school building we’ve shared our school life in.

It’s convenient to use a photo of the building directly for the rough sketch, trace the main lines, and then draw—it helps reduce distortion in the shapes.

It might also be interesting to draw the building’s lines with unique tools like a waribashi (disposable chopstick) pen or a bamboo pen, or to try using colored inks.

If simply coloring it makes the scene look dull, I recommend adding originality by changing the background to a sunset or blue sky, or by creating patterns with ink bleeding effects.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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