Some designs take time to form. Others are clear from the beginning.
When we decided to name this pedal Basilisk, I knew exactly what it had to look like.
Basel’s Creature, Reimagined
The basilisk isn’t just a mythical animal—it’s our mythical animal. You’ll find it all over Basel: on bridge railings, water fountains, plaques, and city crests. The one at the Wettsteinbrücke was especially on my mind—the way it stands, not as a wild beast, but as something proud. Watchful. Almost noble.
I didn’t want to draw a monster. I wanted to create something that felt powerful, but composed.
Yes, the basilisk can kill with a breath—but it doesn’t need to shout. It just stands there, ready.
From Patina to Parchment
The color palette came just as quickly. That green? It had to be the same oxidized tone you find on all the old bronze fountains in town. Weathered. Timeless. The background is a warm sand, like aged stone or faded parchment—meant to feel ancient, like something etched or unearthed.
The whole look is meant to feel “carved in stone,” but stylized—clean, modern lines with subtle, aged textures beneath.
Details That Anchor
I wanted the basilisk to sit on a pedestal—just like the sculptures here do. It gives the design weight and presence. I also wrapped subtle vertical lines and symbols into the layout to echo medieval motifs you might pass on a quiet walk through the old town. And if you look closely, there’s a guitar shape curled gently into the basilisk’s form—not to make a statement, but as a quiet reminder of the pedal’s purpose.
A Love Letter to Basel
This design isn’t just about a creature—it’s about a place.
I’ve lived here most of my life, and I know every crooked street and faded stone. The basilisk is part of the city’s identity—an emblem of pride and history. My goal was to take that familiar image and reimagine it for something new, while still honoring what’s been here for centuries.
Majestic, not monstrous. Etched, not illustrated. Rooted in Basel.
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