While most college students are deciding which type of sunscreen to pack for their spring break vacations, Coleen Lyman, a senior in graphic design at Auburn University, is deciding which part of her final design project she needs to complete over the break.

Lyman's work, along with work of the other seniors in the graphic design program, will be showcased in a gallery exhibition, the "Senior Project Show," at the end of the semester.

"Some people know for years what they want to do their senior project on," Lyman said. "I decided on my project over Christmas break, so I would be prepared to write my proposal when I got back to class for spring semester."

The proposal Lyman mentioned is just the first of many steps a student must complete throughout the semester. The proposal includes all the research the student has done as well as sketches outlining what the student hopes to create. These proposals are submitted at the beginning of the semester to one of two groups of professors who review each proposal with the department head, John Morgan.

Lyman's proposal included plans to create the identity for a fictional textile company that incorporated sustainability practices, used 100 percent organic cotton and maintained fair trade methods of production. She named her company High Cotton Textiles and plans to design four different collections of fabrics as well as creating all the packaging and logo materials for the business.

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"I got the name High Cotton Textiles from the old saying, 'in high cotton,' which means someone well off," Lyman said. "In the case of my fictional company, it is supposed to represent the high quality of the materials the company will use."

Now that Lyman received approval on her proposal, she works on creating computer renderings of her collections. Not only will Lyman design all the patterns for her fabric collections, but she also must apply each fabric to a real-life setting to make sure the aesthetics work correctly for the company's target audience.

"It is really hard work, but will be worth it in the end ... I hope," Lyman said.

The next step for Lyman after designing all the parts of her project will be production. This stage includes screen printing the fabrics, creating mock-ups and crafting the materials.

"I think this showcase will help me gain confidence as a designer, and prove to myself that I can manage my time creating a project with out a professor always telling me what and when I need to do the different parts of my project," Lyman said. "The senior design project has already helped me decide which direction I want to take my career after I graduate college," Lyman said.

While the graphic design students must have their projects completed for the final review session by April 13th, the open house for the Senior Project Show will be on April 16th in Biggin Hall.

"[The senior's] families and friends all come to the showcase to see what we have learned over the past four years and what we have accomplished," Lyman said, "though anyone one in the community is welcomed and encouraged to check it out."

For more information on the Graphic Design Program or the Senior Project Show, visit www.cadc.auburn.edu/graphicdesign/.