The team at this new Resto-Bar located in the heart of San Juan del Sur, came to me looking for help in creating a strong, original name and brand for the new business. Surrounded by mostly foreign owned restaurants on one of the busiest streets in town, they needed to stand out as the locally owned option.
After some back and forward we decided on IKAL which means "In search of the Spirit" in Mayan. The Mayan culture extended all the way through Central America and Nicaragua, and influenced heavily the indigenous culture. The search of the spirit was a main objective of our ancestors and big motivator behind everything they set to do.
For the symbol, I borrowed inspiration from Mayan symbols, the letter I and the Sun and Ocean representing the beach town where it's located.
Thank you!