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Marketing & Branding

As the University of North Carolina Wilmington continues to grow, it’s more important than ever that we show up as one unified voice—whether we’re talking to future Seahawks, alumni, faculty, staff or the community. A consistent brand identity helps people recognize who we are, what we stand for and why we matter. 

That’s why the Office of University Relations developed clear brand standards to help everyone at UNCW tell our story in a way that’s cohesive, credible and unmistakably us. It’s also a key priority in our strategic plan: to elevate our role and reputation as North Carolina’s coastal university. 

Why Brand Consistency Matters

UNCW is already a familiar name in Wilmington, but we’re aiming to soar higher. A strong, consistent brand — logos, colors, tone of voice, and more — helps us stand out not just in North Carolina, but across the country and around the world. 

Here’s how we’re making that happen: 

We’re keeping it simple and strong. The official UNCW house logo is our primary mark for all academic, business, and professional use (outside Athletics). No secondary logos as a standard rule; exceptions may rarely apply. This helps us avoid confusion and keeps our brand looking sharp across all platforms.
Using official logos consistently builds stronger visual connections with our identity. It helps people instantly recognize UNCW — whether they see us on a billboard, a brochure, a T-shirt or a social post. This consistency will be a cornerstone of our upcoming brand visibility campaign launching in 2025–26.
A recent branding survey of internal and external audiences identified inconsistent awareness of the university and its mission as a challenge for UNCW, especially outside the Wilmington area. Secondary logos can muddy the waters. They can make it unclear how different units connect to the university — or worse, weaken the overall brand. By sticking to our approved brand elements, we’re making sure UNCW always looks and feels like UNCW. 

Ready to Dive In?

Check out our brand guidelines. They’ve got everything you need to represent UNCW with confidence and clarity. 

Explore the Brand Identity Guide

UNCW Embraces New Teal Hue

UNCW has refreshed one of our primary brand colors across all marketing and communication platforms! Starting July 1, 2025, the university adopted a brighter, more vibrant color — Pantone 7714 — to update and enhance its visual consistency while staying true to UNCW’s brand identity. The Office of University Relations is excited about the fresh energy this approach brings to our marketing and communications efforts, and we appreciate the campus community’s support in embracing this evolution.

Why the Changes? 

  • A strong brand identity is unified, consistent and easy to recognize across all platforms and audiences. Elevating and advancing the university’s brand recognition is a strategic priority (No. 10). 
  • The university’s branding will use one primary teal color and support two logo families — the house logo and the athletics logo. 
  • Consistent use of UNCW’s primary teal and house and athletics logos will strengthen brand recognition among students, faculty and staff, alumni, donors, sports fans and the public. 
  • Previous versions of teal were difficult for vendors to replicate, especially in fabrics and other tangible goods. 
  • The Office of University Relations, working in partnership with UNCW Licensing and Trademarks, has updated, standardized guidelines to support unified teal color and logo usage across marketing and communication platforms.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Logo & Brand Guidelines

Consistent logo and color usage ensures instant brand recognition, builds trust and credibility, and allows for creative expression while making sure the UNCW brand stands out wherever the university is represented. 

Our official institutional logo is known as the "house" logo and serves as the primary visual representation of our entire university. It's the most recognizable symbol of our institution. OUR can provide your unit’s official logo in PMS 7714 teal, black and/or white — just submit an OUR project request. With hundreds of units across campus, please allow 5 -10 business days for updates.

The Seahawk athletics logo is the official insignia of UNCW athletic teams. Review the Athletics logo webpage for more information.

A UNCW logo uses the house symbol with the university name and may contain the college, school, department or office name. 

 

Official, approved logo files are available from the Office of University Relations. Please submit an OUR project request. 

A logo/graphic used by UNCW units to brand their specific programs and services. Secondary logos, originally intended for internal use only, often featured unit names prominently and included an art element (feathers, leaves, trees, building or campus landmarks and other symbols). These types of logos downplayed the UNCW name and, in some cases, did not include it at all. The university has discontinued usage of secondary logos; exceptions may rarely apply. 

Discontinue use of secondary logos. Use your official UNCW unit’s house logo instead of a secondary logo to ensure instant brand recognition. If you have pre-existing materials with the former teal and/or a secondary logo, use up these materials during 2025-26. Please update materials to new specifications throughout the year as supplies run out. 

Yes. The graphic components within existing secondary logos may be effective as graphic art elements. Have questions about what we mean? Contact our@uncw.edu. 

The new teal has precise color values to ensure consistency across all applications. 

  • PMS (Pantone):  7714 
  • CMYK: C=100, M=35, Y=46, K=10 
  • RGB:  R=0, G=117, B=128 
  • HEX: #007680 

Yes. By using the new teal, student organizations can help the university elevate UNCW’s brand among its most important audience. 

No, but student organizations are expected to follow the university’s branding guidelines. 

Official unit T-shirts should feature the unit’s approved house logo prominently. Additional graphic elements, designs and/or artwork may also be included on the shirt, but the UNCW brand must stand out. 

Badges are not logos, but graphics, and they may include the house logo. They are for graphic use only, as a design element on materials. Promotional products and stickers may include graphics, typography, symbols, etc. and may use an official unit logo printed on them, pending approval. 

Yes. Programs funded by grants are considered university programs and must always be clearly identified with UNCW, by using either the university’s name or its logo. Any specific program logos for grant-funded initiatives must be approved by the Art Director in the Office of University Relations to ensure alignment with university brand standards.

These are examples of partnership logos that fall within the exceptions OUR considers when evaluating logo approvals. If you are engaged in a project that involves representing the university as part of such a collaboration, please contact OUR at our@uncw.edu for branding guidance.   

Units may use printed materials and swag already in their stockpile, such as letterhead, postcards, brochures, T-shirts, giveaways, etc., featuring the former teal and/or secondary logos, during 2025-26. Please update materials to new specifications throughout the year as supplies run out.  

To support brand consistency, very few exceptions will be considered. Secondary logos that support an associated entity, formal partnership or unique opportunity may be approved as long as the design appropriately emphasizes the UNCW brand. If you want to seek an exception, submit an OUR project request. The Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and/or Art Director will review the request and discuss it with you and your area’s Vice Chancellor, Dean and/or their designated delegate. 

Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help. Reach out to the Office of University Relations.
our@uncw.edu