The San Francisco call., 1906-08-19

signer mus specialize, liking upon ons~
branch OF her elected profession. She
has many departments to choose from.
Last years graduates found employ
ment as designers of book covers. fash
ions, lace curtains. embroidery, fancy
flags, jewelry. OilcIOthS. Japanese en-
broideries, silk labels and catalogues.
The catalogue ideas are especially well
paid for, and there is q good living to
be obtained for skilIful letter printing.
as the front pages for all fine editions
of books must be lettered by hand.
Others found lucrative places as news
paper illustrators and architectural
draughtsmen- Women do decidedly
well as architectural draughtsmen.
though they usually lack the engineer
ing training necessary for the carry
ing out of detailed plans for large
structures. Last year seven students
competed with men for mention in the
Beaux Arts problems, and six of the
seYen received the desired award
These problems are severe tests OF arch
iteetural ability. and the fact that the
women's school students did we'll in
them does not mean that they were
treated with chivalric leniency. for it
is regrettable but true that architects
do not hail with delight femininitys
successful invasion of field that men
have accepted as reserved for them
selves
Efficiency in architectural draughting
leads quite naturally to success In in
terror desi gning. one OF the most at
tractive phases of this attractive pro-
fession- Miss Ruth Robinson, now an
assistant instructor in the Women's
School where she was trained, Is en-
ployed by Louis Tiffany, creator OF. tbs
famed Tiffany glass. and exponent OF
the best forms of interior decoration.
and has designed some Of the most
beautiful interiors Tiffany has turned
out Such art requires a perfect an
derstanding OF historic ornament. that
periods may not clash, and calls for
originality OF ideas in carpets walls.
furniture. hangings and metal work
The psychological effect OF harmonious
surroundings Is scientifically acknowI-
edged. and the interior decorator NAV
rank in a way with the preacher in
influence. mental and spiritual upon
her patrons. The spiritual influence
OF stained glass has been experienced
by most men. and Miss 4 lOrenee Fulton
since her graduation from the school
about seven years ago has created
some remarkably fine WINDOWS as her
share toward bettering the world En-
tering the employ Of an Eastern Arm.
she at once met with great success in
her stained glass designs. and upon the
death of the owner of the works
bought the concern and now does big
business. supplying windows for ferry
boats and other large conveyances. as
well designing glass for private
homes and public institutions. Miss f.
Cary Thomas. president of Bryn Mawr.
gave the order for the college library
memorial window to Miss Fulton, feel
ing especially pleased that she could
find q woman who could both plan and
execute such work. The dome in the
Senate house at Trenton. n. j.. was the
work of Miss Fulton. Miss Mary EaSton
has found a good living and much
happiness in originating home spun
-
large sale. Miss Lissock. a San Fran
cisco girl. has designed lace curtains
for an Eastern firm.
WOMEN ARE PECULIARLY FITTED.
Particularly remarkable has been the
fact that many OF the students entering
he Womans School for Applied Design
have done so with very little or no
faith in their own ability and have
betrayed originality in their work
as surprising to themselves as to their
instructors There must be naturai
aptitude for drawing, but the designer
need not be finished easel artist.
Woman seems TO possess a natural
grasp of color and line harmony. for II
is a part OF her God given instinct TO
beautify. Her hand Is facile and her
eye good. and when she can add to this
ability to treat decoration with some
individuality she has within her the
elements of a good applied designer
She who has always betrayed original
ity and good taste in dress would drop
easily into the art of making agreeabls
hangings or draperies. Many a shy
woman whose innate refinement has
found no expression except in quiet
good taste. if properly trained would
make a brilliant desi gnor of book
covers or jewelry, or might find her
goal as an interior decorator.
Few students on graduation follow
the particular branch of OrnamentatiOn
which they had chosen for their anal
years work. The self-elected wall
paper worker has revealed skill as
rugmaker. Silk designers have proved
stained-glass workers and bOok-cOver
artists have developed into architec-
tural draughtsmen-
New York society has set the seal OF
approval on one and all types and the
Woman's School annual exhibitions.
which take the form OF a series OF teas.
bring hundreds OF fashionable carriages
to che institution doors and usually
result in goodly orders for designs as
we'll as generous donations for the
schools aid.
While San Francisco women have
gone in for designing. il IS a matter Of
surprise that more have not sought
this pleasant way of earning liyeli-
hood. With the upbuiIding of that
part OF the Western city which has
been destroyed there should be large
OpportunitieS for the woman designer.
for California talent is an acknowl-
edged asset of the state. and home
talent should find ready market. A
Californian. Harvey Corbett. il one OF
the foremost teachers OF the New York
woman's school, while the methods Of
simple coloring OF De I.ongpre, another
Californian. are considered authorfta-
tive standards for silk patterns.