Other Elements | University Branding and Identity Guidelines

Background Photo Treatment

Creating duotone images of your photographs and using them as backgrounds can add visual interest to your materials.

In order to maintain consistency with the Carolina brand, it is important to use only the files provided in the Downloads section of this website to create these duotone images and to follow the guidelines below.

Treatment Color Options

Photo of female graduates at commencement blowing bubbles with Carolina Blue overlay on top of the photo.

Photo of female graduates at commencement blowing bubbles with navy blue overlay on top of the photo.

Photo of female graduates at commencement blowing bubbles with black overlay on top of the photo.

Photo of female graduates at commencement blowing bubbles with light gray overlay on top of the photo.

Steps for Creating a Background Photo Treatment

1. Open the BackgroundPhotoTreatment.psd file and your selected photo in Photoshop. Note that BackgroundPhotoTreatment.psd will look like a blank document, but it will have a “gradient” layer in the layers palette.
2. Copy your photo and paste it into BackgroundPhotoTreatment.psd.
3. In the layers palette, move the photo layer under the “gradient” layer. The color effect will automatically be applied to the photo.
4. Save as any desired file type.

Guidelines for Usage

Do

Use the .psd files provided in Downloads to create background photo treatments.
Use high resolution original photos.
Use high contrast photos for the optimal effect.
Use this photo treatment as a background only.
Start with an empty copy of BackgroundPhotoTreatment.psd for each new photo.

Don’t

Edit the color of the background in any way, including altering the gradient layer.
Create alternate backgrounds in other brand colors.
Use this photo treatment for headshots or prominent photos.

Digital ad that is an example of background photo treatment proper usage. It shows a background border with a photo using the Carolina Blue overlay. In front if it is a man on the beach and the text "In the field."

Brochure cover that is an example of background photo treatment proper usage. It shows a background photo of UNC's marching band with a navy blue overlay. In front if it is a photo of the mascot Rameses with the text "Weekend Guide."

Digital ad that shows improper use of the photo treatment. It shows a man on the beach with the Carolina Blue overlay as the main focal point image, not a background. It has a red line going through the design.

Brochure that shows improper use of the photo treatment. It shows the UNC marching band in the background with a yellow and pink overlay. It has a red line going through the design.

Photo Frames

Solid outlined photo frames may be used to add visual interest or call attention to photographs. Frames may be created by the user in varying thicknesses and brand colors. Suggested photo frame styles and layouts are below.

Thick

Photo of female student outside, smiling and wearing a t-shirth with UNC Gilllings School of Global Public Health logo and purple backpack. The photo has a thick Carolina Blue border around it.

Thin

Photo of female student outside, smiling and wearing a t-shirth with UNC Gilllings School of Global Public Health logo and purple backpack. The photo has a thin Carolina Blue border around it, with a blank space between the photo and border.

Thick Offset

Photo of female student outside, smiling and wearing a t-shirth with UNC Gilllings School of Global Public Health logo and purple backpack. The photo has a thick Carolina Blue border around it that is offset from the photo.

Thin Offset

Callout Text Templates

The callout text templates available in the Downloads section of this website may be used to help draw attention to important information, such as a website address, date or tagline. While the colors and fonts of the templates should not be changed, the size of the text box and container may be adjusted to accommodate various information. These templates are also available in Carolina Blue/black and Carolina Blue/white.

Vertical Layout without Container

Carolina Blue semi circle with text centered below in navy blue and Carolina Blue that reads "For more information, visit unc.edu."

Vertical Layout with Container

Navy blue box with Carolina Blue border and text centered inside the box. The text is in Carolina Blue and white and reads "For more information, visit unc.edu."

Horizontal Layout without Container

Carolina Blue semi circle with text to the right in navy blue and Carolina Blue that reads "For more information, visit unc.edu."

Horizontal Layout with Container

Long navy blue box with Carolina Blue border and text inside the box. The text is in Carolina Blue and white and reads "For more information, visit unc.edu."