Fort Valley State University News January 18, 2013 Twin artists design winning FVSU license plate Fort Valley State University's new license plate will soon make its debut on bumpers across the state of Georgia. Wildcats voted for the design of FVSU commercial design sophomore Raven Wilson as the winner. However, Raven says she couldn't have created the winning design without help from her twin sister, Portia. Since birth, the 23-year-old twins have maintained a friendly rivalry, pushing them to achieve their individual best. While on the Carrolton High School track team, the siblings' competitive spirit earned them dual, track scholarships to Fort Valley State. During college, the pair enrolled in the university's commercial design program, together. In October, an announcement by FVSU Fine Arts Department Chair Bobby Dickey caught the twins' attention. Dickey said that FVSU was seeking a new license plate design. The winner would see their design on car bumpers of Wildcat alums and supporters. "Mr. Dickey encouraged us all to enter," Portia said. Immediately, the twins began brainstorming original designs, sketching their initial concepts using the Adobe Illustrator graphics program. The sisters scrutinized one another's designs and provided pointers on how each could be improved. "I'm not going to let her enter a piece that's not complete or good," Portia said. "And she won't let me enter something that doesn't look its absolute best." Portia created eight designs over a week's span. Raven spent two weeks to design 15 pieces, but only submitted nine. While on holiday break, Raven and Portia visited the FVSU website. There, they learned that the university had selected the license plate finalists. Thrilled, the twins discovered that two of Portia's concepts and one of Raven's dominated the top three spots. "I was really happy," said Raven. "For me, it was pretty cool," added Portia. "I thought, that it didn't matter who won, we're both finalists!" "I made sure that I voted on every device that I owned," Raven said. Additionally, she posted her design on her Facebook account, encouraging friends to vote. As the contest progressed, Raven's design began to pull ahead. "It was actually fun," Raven said. "We wanted to pull one of her designs, to make the voting a little closer, but mine was uncatchable." Design 3, (Raven's), won with more than 52.1 percent of the FVSU vote. Portia's (Design 2) grabbed 28.6 percent, and (Design 1) got 19.3 percent respectively. More than 925 votes were tallied. "We actually thought one of her pieces would fit better than the one that won for me," said Raven. The student explained her design process. "I tried to give my design more of a Fort Valley feel. If you're riding down the street, I wanted to say 'That's FVSU.' So, I incorporated the school colors." "For me, we both won," said Portia, who was truly happy for her twin sister. The student also says that she wants others to take the profession of commercial design seriously, "Some see commercial design as an easy way out; but, you have to have team skills, computer skills, and work just as hard to bring your ideas to life. Most people think that you can't earn money in this field, but you can, because art is everything." Portia graduates next year in 2014; Raven, in 2015. The twins plan to enroll in Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla. for graduate school after leaving Fort Valley State. For the FVSU license plate purchasing details, please contact the FVSU Foundation, Inc., (478) 825-6474. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.