There are design patterns in canon Splatoon idols that you can apply to your idols:
- Reflecting beauty marks. This one is the most common. The Squid Sisters have beauty marks near their eyelids while Off the Hook has them under their lips.
- Pun names that associate with each other (Callie + Marie = Calamari / Pearl + Marina (Synonym for Harbor) = Pearl Harbor)
- Matching gloves. Use any kind of gloves or hand/arm accessory that can match your idols' aesthetic! Be creative!
- Tsurime/ Tareme eyes . Only the Squid Sisters have these, however. It's to show their contrasting personalities.
- Symbols. Off the Hook have their own saymbols (Pearl's X-symbol and Marina's infinity symbol) on their eyes, clothing, and other stuff.
- Tights with their main ink color. This wouldn't be necessary if you're going for something that looks bad with tights.
- Hairstyle contrast. One idol with short hair (Pearl/ Marie) and the other with long hair (Callie/ Marina). One would also have symmetrical hair while the other has asymmetrical hair.
- Tentacle color contrast. One idol with light hair, the other with dark hair. The most popular pattern between idols.
- Opposite ink color. (ex. pink/green ; orange/blue ; yellow/purple ; black/white)
- Dress - short rule. One idol wears shorts/pants while the other wears a skirt/dress. It depends on the gender or design aesthetic, however.
- Fancy pupils and eyelashes. We all know this one already. They can match or differ from one another.
- Contrasting personality/character and story. (ex. Pearl being born rich while Marina being born underground)
- Has a first song that bought them to fame. (ex. Calamari Inkantation ; Ebb and Flow)
- Sad credits song. (ex. Fresh Start ; Maritime Memory ; Into the Light)
- Now or Never cover/remix for the splatfests.
These patterns aren't necessary for all idols, but if you want, you can apply it to your idols for a more Splatoon feel.
If you found any more patterns not listed in this blog post, please note them out too! Thanks for reading this.