Old vs. Current UNC Logo: A Practical Redesign Comparison
Compare the old and current UNC logos for print, screens, video calls, and small-size use. Learn what to check before treating either version as a usable logo file.
Contents
Define what you are comparing
Start with the intended use. A logo shown in a presentation, reproduced on a printed card, placed on a website header, or used as a small camera-overlay badge will have different requirements. The same mark can look acceptable at full size and fall apart when scaled down, reproduced in one color, or placed on a busy background.
For a university mark such as the UNC logo, do not compare every unofficial variation found online. Limit the comparison to the versions you can actually obtain from an authorized source. This usually means the old mark, the current primary mark, and any formally issued one-color or reversed versions for specific uses.
Compare meaningful differences
Place the two versions side by side in the same size and background. Look first at the overall structure: how the text, emblem, border, abbreviation, or surrounding shape relate to one another. Then check detail density. An older mark may have finer lines, smaller type, or more elements that disappear at low resolution.
Evaluate compatibility with the formats you use. A vector file can be exported to the sizes required by presentation software, video overlays, and print without adding pixelation. A raster file is less flexible, so the maximum source resolution matters. If you plan to use the logo in a camera scene or video call background, check contrast against the actual background rather than assuming the official colors will remain readable.
Practical trade-offs
The current logo may be more flexible across digital sizes, but that does not make it automatically better for historical or archival material. An old logo can be the right choice when the context is about a specific period, a past team, or a document that should remain visually consistent with its original era.
Small-size use creates the clearest trade-off. On a website footer, social profile image, or conference badge, a simplified current mark may remain legible while the older mark becomes a dense spot of color. For a large poster or title card, both may perform well, and the choice becomes more about tone and available file quality.
Do not turn published specifications into performance claims. A newer file format or an official brand guide does not guarantee that a downloaded copy was exported correctly. Check the file type, dimensions, transparency, and whether the version you have is meant for light or dark backgrounds.
Choose for the use case
Choose the current mark when the work needs the recognizable identity in a controlled modern format. Confirm that you have the approved version for the background and size. Choose the old mark when the content is historical or when an older visual is required by the material itself, and verify that the available file is large enough for the intended output.
If only one low-quality version is available, do not stretch it to fit a larger use. Test the logo at the actual pixel size needed for the screen, overlay, or page. When in doubt, reduce the logo, place it on a neutral area with enough clearance, or use a one-color version to avoid color conflicts in video scenes.
Respect usage requirements
University marks may have licensing or brand-use rules that affect where and how they can appear. The practical design comparison helps you judge visual quality, but it does not replace checking the current usage guidelines for the specific material, medium, and context.