Golden Ratio , Golden Spiral , Typography , using Images

 Golden Ratio

In mathematical terms, two quantities are in Golden Ratio is their ratio is the same as the ratio of their sum to the larger of the two quantities. Application of Golden Ratio.

a+b/a = a/b = phi

It is denoted with the Greek letter “Phi” and is approximately equal to 1.618. Golden Ratio has many other names like the golden mean or golden section, divine section, golden cut, golden number, and golden proportion. It was first described in Euclid’s elements, 2,300 years ago. Application of Golden Ratio.

Examples of Golden Ration in Real Life

Golden Ratio is commonly found in nature, and when used in a design, it makes the composition more organic, natural-looking and increases the aesthetic value, which indeed is pleasing to the eye. If we talk about practical examples of Golden Ratio in use, there are many in form Applications of Golden Ratio.  of sculptures, paintings, architectures, and designs.

Pyramids of Giza: Length of its base and its height are in the golden ratio.

Parthenon in Athens: Golden proportion added beauty to this architecture.

Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa: Novelist Dan Brown included a long passage in his bestselling book \”The Da Vinci Code\” (Doubleday, 2000), in which the main character discusses how phi represents the ideals of beauty can be found throughout history.

Brands logos and designs: Apple, Pepsi, Twitter, and other brands.

Using the Golden ratio to the art or design is like adding X-factor to it. Our brain is very sensitive to certain proportions and we prefer and find things with a golden ratio more appealing. The golden ratio is in nature also in the form of various beautiful flora and fauna. Certain floral designs, seashells, and even cyclones are more appealing to our eyes because of the magic of the golden ratio.

Application of Golden Ratio

Now let us move from the theory of golden ratio to practical application of the same to make the posters, marketing material, and other designs more appealing visually.

1. Golden Shapes

The most commonly used golden shapes in designing are the Golden Circles, Golden Rectangles, Golden Spirals, and Golden Triangles. . However, one can begin with only one shape and still create a masterpiece.For example, Pepsi Logo is based on two intersecting circles that follow the Golden Ratio.

1. Layout: Setting Dimensions with Golden Ratio

The layout is used to arrange different visual elements on a page. The golden rule to apply when it comes to dimensions is to set dimensions 1:1.618.

For example, if the width of the layout is typical 960 pixels, divide it by 1.618, which approximately gives 594 pixels that have to be the height of the layout. When we break the layout into two columns with the help of the Golden Ratio, two separate sections are formed 594 pixels and 366 pixels. We can further divide to achieve more grids. Below is the example of a 960×594 layout.

1. Spacing the content with Golden Ratio

Spacing is a vital element in any design. Generally, we go by standard margins to define gutters and spacing between the content with acknowledging the layout size. Management of the negative, as well as positive space, really defines the final result. An easy way is to use larger squares to define layouts and smaller squared to define gutters and content spacing.

1. Content Placement using Golden Spiral

The golden spiral is apt for content placement. We are drawn to the center of the spiral, so one should focus on the design of the center of the spiral.

1. Golden Ratio in Typography

This helps with the correct size of body text and heading. For example, if the body text is 11px, multiply it with 1.618, which gives us 16.18 so appropriate heading size is 16px, we can do vice versa for calculating from heading to body text (divide the heading size with 1.618). This can never go wrong this simplifies the hierarchy.

1. Golden Ratio in using Images

It requires splitting the picture into three unequal sections, the ratio of 1:0.618:1, so the width of the first and third column is 1. The same has to be done horizontally. The intersections points will draw the focus of human eyes. Examples, pictures of models on the cover page of the magazine cover.

However, as per the mathematics golden ratio is an irrational number that means it can never be achieved perfectly in any design. Some designers feel the golden ratio is very important to have a mesmerizing design while others say it is not that important as not every design can be derived using the golden ratio. The debate is everlasting. Using the Golden ratio requires a lot of understanding and practice. However, it does produce a natural, harmonious and balanced design with enhanced aesthetic value.

 

Examples of Golden Ration in Real Life

If we talk about practical examples of the Golden Ratio in use, there are many in form of sculptures, paintings, architectures, and designs.

Human Body: There is more than 300 existence of golden ratio in the human body. Some are explained below:

 

Golden Ratio in Galaxy:

All the spiral Galaxies including our Milky Way Galaxy follow the Golden spiral pattern.

Even the planets orbiting in the elliptical path in our Solar system have golden ratios in their rotational paths. Though the power of phi is different.

 

Golden Ratio in Nature: Fibonacci series (1,2,3,5,8,13,21..)also known as the Fibonacci spiral is there in the growth of trees branches and also in the petals of the flower.

 

It is also there the pinecones. That is why the golden ratio is often related to the term natural beauty

Pyramids of Giza: The length of its base and its height are in the golden ratio.

 

Parthenon in Athens: Golden proportion added beauty to this architecture.

Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa: Novelist Dan Brown included a long passage in his bestselling book \”The Da Vinci Code\” (Doubleday, 2000), in which the main character discusses how phi represents the ideal of beauty and can be found throughout history.

Brands logos and designs: Apple, Pepsi, Twitter, and other brands.