Among the many traditions surrounding graduation ceremonies, displaying graduation caps has become a popular way for graduates to express their individuality and commemorate their journey thus far.
With finals and graduation season approaching, the Cal State Fullerton Titans are getting ready to celebrate their accomplishments.
From TikTok and Instagram to Pinterest, the ideas are endless and your creativity offers many different ways to make your graduation cap stand out.
With graduation just about two weeks away, we've put together some unique ideas for those looking for something perfect to display their graduation cap.
Future Plans
Use your cap as a canvas to express your dreams and goals for the future. Whether you're starting graduate school, starting a new job, summarizing your education, or embarking on a world travel adventure, let your hat reflect the exciting possibilities.
Reyna Andres, a fourth-year biological sciences major and Class of 2024, excitedly expressed her plans to incorporate lab work into her graduation cap.
“We're going to do something with our cute little microscope,” Andres said. “A small agar plate has small bacteria attached to it.”
Include your future aspirations in a graduate cap that symbolizes your goals, dreams, and exciting journey after graduation.
cultural symbols
Celebrate your cultural heritage using symbols, patterns, and colors that are meaningful to you. From the traditional patterns of your ancestral homeland to the colors of your national flag, let your hat speak of your pride and identity.
Lauryn Jarvis, a fourth-year women's and gender studies graduate, found a unique way to decorate the hat by dividing it into three sections.
“The first third is the Philippine flag. I'm Filipino,” Jarvis said. “The bottom half has lavender on it. I work at an LGBT center and I'm queer, so that's a big part of my identity as well.”
Whether it's the colors of the national flag or an inspirational quote from your native language, incorporating cultural symbols into your grad cap celebrates tradition, identity, and pride. This is a great way to honor your roots and share your story with the world on this special day.
DIY photo collage
Turn your graduation cap into a mini photo album by creating a collage of your most memorable college moments.
Nao Maejo, a fourth-year student majoring in child and youth development, described how she decorates her hat with members of the Japanese Student Union and her friends, asking them to include their loved ones in college life.
“I just wanted to use the hat as a way to commemorate the memories we made here,” Maejo said. “The big thing for me in college was the NSU line and ground, so I wanted to use that and put it in my hat.”
Print photos of friends, favorite professors, campus landmarks, and memorable events and place them on the cap in a staggered layout.
Fix the photo using glue or double-sided tape, remembering to leave space for the tassel.
interactive elements
Get creative with interactive elements that stimulate the senses. Incorporate elements such as LED lights, sound modules, and moving parts to add surprise and delight to your cap design.
Illuminate your accomplishments with fairy lights or use origami to create moving designs to grab attention. Make your cap a conversation starter with these dynamic elements.
Personalized monograms, pop culture tributes, favorite cartoons, florals, photos, the possibilities are endless.
Whichever design you choose, remember to allow enough time to plan, gather materials, and make your vision a reality.
After all, decorating your graduation cap isn't just about adding color and sparkle, it's also an opportunity to celebrate your unique journey, express your creativity, and commemorate the milestone of graduation.
Grab your card stock, take out your paintbrush, and let your imagination soar as you create a cap that truly captures the spirit of CSUF's greatness.