Art in industry

Front matter

dl

CHARLES R. RICHARDS

New York, Feb. 21— (AP)— Charles , R. Richards, 70, noted educator, died | today in Doctors' Hospital, his family announced.

Preface

HE object of the survey embodied in the .following report is to ascertain as accurately as possible the situation existing in American art industries as to standards of design and the conditions that at present operate to limit these standards. 'The report is based on no theory or traditional point of view, but has sought to be thoroughly objective in its attitude and methods. The survey has been an essentially cooperative enterprise, involving the assistance of eighty -eight individuals who served on trade and school committees, as well as many others prominent in the art industries . It represents a study of five hundred and ten producing establishments located in fifty-five different cities, as well as of fifty-five schools giving instruction in industrial art.

The aim is to present a picture of actual conditions relating to the practice of applied design in the United States, to the end that clearer thought may be brought to bear upon the situation and that intelligent measures for its improvement may be developed.

In the make-up of the report the more definite and concrete recommendations will be found in the summaries at the end of each of the trade surveys and in the school study. The final conclusions deal with the larger elements of the problem.

It may be felt that in recommendations and in descriptive matter, undue consideration has been given to New York City. The attention given to this city is partly due to the fact that New York represents the great center of industrial design in the United States, and partly because of the necessity, when presenting specific recommendations, of basing these on local conditions. It is not the intention to suggest that these recommendations are limited to New York City, but rather to put forth typical propositions that might be developed in modified form for other localities. In describing agencies outside of schools and commercial practice that are operating to advance the situation, particular reference has also been made to New York City, although it is probable that somewhat similar organizations and activities are to be found in other cities.

Contents

Preface

Foreword i

Trade Studies 9