The mark consists of an acorn, large in the foreground and outlined in brown, with the words "Raleigh" and the letters "N" and "C" featured in the cap of the acorn in black. To the upper right of the acorn and in the background by scale is a cardinal with a red body, a black face, and yellow feet and beak, sitting on a brown branch. To the lower left of the acorn and in the background by scale is a green leaf from an oak tree. Under the design is the literal element "THE BIG ACORN" also in black. The colors white and gray represent background, outlining, shading, and/or transparent areas and are not part of the mark.