Policy on Logos

UNC School of Education Policy on Logos

Introduction

Purpose

Branding and visual identities, specifically logos, provide an essential means of consistent, graphic communication for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“UNC”) and the UNC School of Education (“School of Education” or “School”). A logo can immediately convey a message or provide understanding and important context to audiences.

In the case of UNC and the School, official logos bearing the Old Well graphic connect audiences with a multitude of understandings, perhaps most importantly (in the case of the School of Education) a longstanding emphasis on high-quality teaching, research, and service to North Carolina and beyond.

Like any form of visual communication, logos should be monitored closely to ensure the greater UNC logo and the School logo do not lose their value. Instead of creating new logos, UNC and School logos should be used to increase the value of School-related projects and programs. The purpose of this logo policy is to provide School employees guidance and expectations around the creation of logos and visual identities beyond existing UNC and School logos.

Scope of Applicability

The following only applies to School faculty and staff members requesting the creation of logos related to their work at School. Logos created prior to the approval of this policy — Aug. 1, 2023 — are not subject to this policy.

Policy

Policy

No group or initiative within the School shall have a dedicated graphic logo. Labs, centers, programs, etc. with an official affiliation with the School may only incorporate a text treatment of the group’s official name, using School-branded fonts – either Acumin Pro or, in this instance, the preferred Le Monde Livre. This text treatment, or logotype, must be used in conjunction with the official School logo — either vertical or horizontal version — provided by University Communications and UNC Creative. School of Education employees may work the School’s communications and marketing team to create a text treatment or logo and must gain the communications and marketing team’s approval prior to usage.

Policy Non-Compliance

Non-compliance with this policy may result in any or all of the following:

1. Limitation or revocation of individual’s right to use or manage in UNC School of Education graphic identity;
2. Removal of unapproved logo or logotype.

Definitions

1. Logo: a logo is a valuable communications and marketing asset. It serves as the face of a brand and is one of the first things a viewer associates with an organization. In this document, a logo incorporates a visual or graphic element.
2. Text treatment/logotype: a text treatment or logotype is similar to a logo, but only incorporates text. Text treatments do NOT incorporate a graphic mark. They incorporate the branded fonts of an organization to create brand consistency.

Related Requirements

External Regulations and Consequences

Federal Laws

• U.S. copyright law

University Policies

• University Branding and Identity Guidelines

School Policies

• School Branding and Identity Guidelines

Modification of Policy

Users who have questions or suggestions about the UNC School of Education logo policy should contact the Communications and Marketing team. This policy will be reviewed annually by the School’s Communications and Marketing team, updated as needed, and submitted to the Dean’s Cabinet for final approval.

Contact Information

If you have general questions about this document or about responsible and efficient use (creating/using school social media accounts) of social media, contact the School’s Communications and Marketing team at education_comm@unc.edu.

Important Dates

Effective August 1, 2023
Approved by Dean’s Cabinet August 1, 2023
To be reviewed August 1, 2025