Legacy Marks

Just like the University, our brand guidelines continue to grow and evolve over time. As such, there are times when specific graphics are retired from use.

While we can’t retract files that have inevitably circulated, we have highlighted legacy marks below to help retire them from use. For official logo files, it is best practice to visit our Download Library.  

Before 2013, Johns Hopkins University used a typographic logo. This is no longer an official representation of the university, and all instances should be updated to our primary logo. 

Legacy Johns Hopkins University logo with no shield.

Retired Logo

Retired logo as of 2013. This logo does not include our shield and uses a different font than the current logo.  

“Large” Logo & Shield

The 2013 logo architecture included both large and small versions of all logos and shields. The large versions of the files were retired to streamline file management and version control.

Large shield with 5 globe lines

Large Logo

Legacy large versions of the University logo and shield include five lines in the globe and a thinner stroke on the white shield outline.  

Current shield

Small/Current Logo

The correct version of the University logo and shield only includes three lines in the globe. 

Johns Hopkins’ Signature

Johns Hopkins’ signature graphic was retired in 2020. This decision was made following the launch of the Hard Histories project, which examines the roles that racism and discrimination played at Johns Hopkins University. Where legacy uses of this graphic still exist, it should not be used for new designs. 

Johns Hopkins' signature

Jay Mascot Costume

The Jay mascot costume was updated in 2019. Photography and collateral including the legacy Jay mascot costume should be updated. 

Old mascot posing in a crowd

Old Jay Mascot

The former Jay costume is most easily identified by its teeth and a blue beak.  

New mascot posing

New Jay Mascot

The current and correct Jay mascot costume does not have teeth, is close in color to our official Spirit Blue, and wears sneakers. Download mascot photo set. 

Retired Athletics Logos

Notebook with evolution of Blue Jay sketches

First Athletics Logo (1966–1995)

A 1969 Johns Hopkins graduate, Neil A. Grauer created the first Blue Jay athletics mascot illustration, better known as the “NAG Jay,” which served as the official logo of the Department of Athletics from 1966 through 1995.

The legacy NAG Jay illustrations are strictly limited and cannot be used as a substitute for the University Athletics logo or official sports logos.

Dated athletics logo that includes an older version of the Blue Jay bird profile

Legacy Athletics Logo (1995–2014)

Jayne White was commissioned to draw the above graphic as an updated Athletics logo. This graphic first appeared on men’s soccer uniforms in 1995 and served as the inspiration for the now current logo that was created by the University Communications office in 2014. This logo should not be used and legacy uses should be updated to leverage the current Athletics logo.

Hopkins Athletics logo that combines the letters "Hopkins" with shield shape above the letters that frames the profile of Blue Jay bird head

Current Athletics Logo (2014–Present)

The current athletics logo was introduced in 2014. Visit the Athletics page for more guidelines specific to this logo.

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