Creating The Ancient Mariner logo

We sat down with Haychley from Stellabox Design in Norwich, Norfolk, to talk about the thinking behind The Ancient Mariner's new logo. It was a conversation about craft, choices, and getting the details right; no big reveal - just the story of how a coastal pub with plenty of character found a marque that feels steady, familiar, and built to last.

Haychley's first steps into lino printing were in 2017 when wanting to create an at-home print, but not being able to afford Adobe software, so she started to look for other options.

"It took around a year of trying and failing until getting to grip with it. First thing ever in my life I’ve really loved and enjoyed", so she did it every day until she built up the muscle memory. The frustrating part? It was like Goldilocks - so many variables; you needed the pressure just right, the paper just right, the amount of ink just right. Forward nearly ten years and you can spot Haychley on Landscape Artist of The Year.

The medium is special because of the "slow, traditional nature of it" which is what led us to Stellabox Design for the logo. "Stormy sea, cosy fireside, warm drink" were the images that came to mind when Haychley first heard the name The Ancient Mariner Inn. She thought about a mariner coming in of the cold and lighting his pipe, water droplets dripping from his beard. Haychley translates the spirit of the subject into a visual identity by understanding the space that already exists and using patterns, shapes and existing structures. For example, one of Haychley's early ideas included a fish and the texture had come from the wooden floorboards of the pub. "I work the space into the design so it feels familiar to people."

"Stormy sea, cosy fireside, warm drink"

There are steps in the process for lino printing a logo which can't be missed. A lot of the time can be spent on sketching - anything from 4 0r 5 to 40 hours! And once the print is made, it can take a week or so for the ink to dry, so when working in layers, this can be laborious. When the sketch is made, Haychley uses tracing paper to transfer the design, before carving with pfeil tools and rolling the ink onto the lino block. The paper goes on top and she runs over the back with a wooden spoon to get the right pressure.

There can be challenges to carving a logo, too. You have to make sure that you're sticking closely to the design and making sure that you're following what the client is after. But, “that first peel” and seeing it come to life is always a highlight for Haychley.

The Ancient Mariner's cheek details and facial structure is an element that Haychley is most proud of. The eyes are only a milimetre or so wide when carved, so it's hard to come out with clear lines on the face.

Finally, we asked Haychley what she hopes people feel when they see the logo above the door.

"Ooohhhhh, I want it to be a cosy welcoming space and it’s that same traditional, steady and welcoming environment for locals and weary travellers."

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If you would like to see The Ancient Mariner's new logo in situ, we'll be reopening this April, so keep a close eye on our social media to find out more.