[h2]Who is Diane?[/h2] For many, food is a means to [b]connect [/b]with our loved ones and [b]express [/b]our creativity. A [u]backward understanding[/u] of what is to [b]Diane [/b]([i]14-Kitchelin star winner[/i]), the opportunity for the highest expression of [b]precision [/b]and [b]skill[/b]. Here’s how we served up Diane’s visuals. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/cf9636a18288d19b60f543ab650fa77a5bacb0df.png[/img] [h2]Why is Diane?[/h2] As chefs, we knew [i](and maybe were taught by)[/i] some very mean people that were simply the best at what they do. [strike]Diane is *insert generic angry chef tv personality*[/strike]. [h2]What is Diane?[/h2] We started knowing we wanted three things from Diane’s visual design: [olist] [*] An [u]imposing [/u]character shilouette. [*] Her [u]onion [/u]creatures and [u]Hellenic [/u]heritage to be represented. [*] A [u]knife[/u]; nothing is more precious to some chefs – than their [b]knife[/b]. [/olist] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/f32f39611dbe88b22fa621c0def5e29fca1bf7fa.png[/img] Unlike our other [i]Combat Chefs[/i], our initial posing sketch had a strong bias towards Diane being [i]tall[/i]. Our only major consideration in this study was whether she should hold her onion, like a Shakespearean actor, or wield it on the edge of her knife. [h2]Power Costuming[/h2] While Diane balancing an onion at the end of her blade was poignant [i](or should I say *point-ignant*)[/i] it didn’t seem like a [b]serious chef[/b] action. Instead, having her distinct chef knife [i]Algae[/i], named after the Greek spirits of suffering, sheathed on her leg was a great way to impose some [b]authority [/b]while adding detail to the leg region. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/e423d54a65ba8ad59f3d25c6addaadbda80e7925.png[/img] Additionally, Diane started with some heels. However, going back to our design principles of Diane, a serious, hard-working chef, would [strike]probably[/strike] not wear heels in the kitchen. The other part of Diane’s key costuming was her buttoned up chef jacket, long chef trousers and necktie. These imposed that [i]“oh no, the executive chef [u]just [/u]walked in, and I haven’t peeled the onions from this morning's delivery yet 0 _ 0”[/i] feeling. [h2]Oni-on[/h2] The Onion [b]GladiEATers [/b]have some iconic [i]*cry on your enemy powers*[/i] inspired by onions' ability to make some people cry their eyes out (me included). Diane was embracing that by being the type of chef that makes [u]you [/u]cry for making a mediocre broth. However, her design needed to be pushed to [b]more onion heights.[/b] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/35dc4334b5283490280fc921d5bffe3e2bc46433.gif[/img] We did this through colour: Diane’s long hair was inspired by an onion’s root, turning it onion skin orange. Additionally, we braided Diane's hair to further that tangled root image. We then added an aqua-blue eye shadow, blue eyes and clear blue lenses, all to invoke the image of Onion [b]GladiEATers[/b]’ crying eyes. Below is an excerpt from our developing comic book, showing a younger Diane growing that braid to the impressive length it is now. Look at her, sharpening knives and peeling onions on the streets of Thessaloniki, Greece – a real go-getter. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/f32d9ceb8ba706123d3bafc9541901266fb9181e.png[/img] Finally, the Onion [b]GladiEATers [/b]have a unique [i]eye of Horus[/i] inspiration that we then had tattooed along Diane’s sleeve. [u][b]Pro tip: In real life, you can tell a young chef’s power level by how many tattoos they have. [/b][/u] [h2]Hellenic Je ne ses quois.[/h2] To tie up the magnificence of Diane is a lining of [u]powerful gold[/u], on her: belt buckle, ornate knife sheath, glasses and Hellenic inspired crown and earring jewellery. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/aa3a642b5553a03fc982e5b92dc98fa06e5bd794.png[/img] We also incorporated [i]the Greek Key[/i] on her chef jacket, a traditional continuous line motif. The geometric lines add to her [b]precise [/b]and [b]structured [/b]cooking style. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/ecf2883845b4e1cb3f399848eba287b1c3b6c1c4.png[/img] [h2]Pixel art precision[/h2] When converting Diane into her [i]pixel art persona[/i], we had her twisting her knife through the air, planning how she’ll cut up her dish. Ad[i]*dish*[/i]onally, for Diane’s unique chef ability we have Diane shouting at her [b]GladiEATers [/b]when they drop below 50% Health, forcing [b]more Power[/b] out of them. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/358c758cfc8a286bbf90c4cd62105744f847d313.gif[/img] The ability is a fun [i]risk-reward[/i] where her [u]strongest [/u][b]GladiEATers [/b]are also the most [u]at risk[/u] of expiring. The ability is inspired by Diane’s type of [b]angry-accomplished [/b]chef, pushing the most out of their cook underlings. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/27ddcc449f2b51b3437178c76841766598414fe2.gif[/img] [h2]Was it your turn or mine to close?[/h2] Diane’s design pays homage to both her [b]Onion goons[/b], [b]Hellenic heritage[/b] and [b]angry chef[/b] in one composed design. We’re happy you stuck around and are excited to share even more [i]Combat Chef[/i], GladiEATer and mechanic designs soon! Is there [b]any [/b]kind of chef or cuisine theme you’d like to see represented in [b]GladiEATers[/b]? Anything you’d like to see in Diane’s design? [u]Let us know in the comments [/u]or on our Discord! [url=https://discord.com/invite/Bv9WxvDPag][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43162105/66cfebe3655afc8a7b4d03af2f142e6291d637a4.png[/img][/url]