Observer Online | Winning License Plate Design Picked

Edition of Feb. 23, 2007

Winning License Plate Design Picked

By Jackie Allder

Observer Staff Writer

Inspired by the greenery and lakes of Reston, resident Doug Fuller designed a license plate to represent his community. And soon, the license plate could be seen throughout Northern Virginia.

The Reston Citizens Association sponsored a contest to design a license plate for Reston, and last week the group chose Fuller's design as the winner. According to a press release from RCA, a panel of judges from GRACE chose the design because it "symbolizes the trees and water all residents of Reston enjoy in its woods and lakes, along with the motto ‘Live, Work, Play' derived from Bob Simon's guiding principles in the creation of the Reston community."

Fuller, who is an art director at Freddie Mac, said he submitted only one design in the competition. "I've learned over the years to only submit the one you're happiest with," he said. He said his three children, who are ages 6, 8 and 9, were thrilled about his win.

"I think they were even more excited than I was," he said. The family recently purchased a new van, so the children cannot wait to have one of Fuller's license plates on the car, he said.

Fuller has lived in Reston since 1992, and he said he frequently takes advantage of the communities' many paths and lakes. "Reston is very much a part of who I am," he said. In looking at the community, he said, he knew he had to incorporate the trees and the water. But he also wanted to make sure he was not duplicating any other plates, so he spent a lot of time researching plates online, he said.

"I wanted to make it something as simple as possible," he said. The tree highlights the plate and has a brushstroke feel to it, which Fuller said represents Reston's commitment to the arts.

Fuller said it was challenging working with the space allotted for a license plate. "There was a lot you were trying to convey in a very little awkward space," he said. "So that was the biggest challenge to make sure you could fit everything you wanted to say."

Fuller also has designed logos for Reston Community Center, Reston Interfaith, the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations.

Although Fuller has been named winner of the contest, RCA still needs at least 350 pre-paid orders to ensure production of the plate and the design would need to be approved by the General Assembly. To order, complete the form at: http://www.dmvnow.com/webdoc/pdf/vsa10.pdf and send with check made out to RCA to: Reston Citizens Association, P.O. Box 2851, Reston, VA 20195.