The document provides an in-depth overview of the golden ratio and its significance and applications. It explains that the golden ratio is a mathematical ratio commonly found in art, architecture, nature, and design that creates a pleasing and harmonious visual effect. It has long been used by artists and designers to make their work seem more naturally beautiful. The document then discusses how the golden ratio can be calculated mathematically and illustrated visually. It also outlines some of the historical applications of the golden ratio in structures like the pyramids of Giza and provides examples of how it can be applied in layouts, spacing, and designs.

1. AN IN-DEPTH
LOOK AT THE
GOLDEN
RATIO
“An In-Depth Look at the Golden Ratio”
by Marc Primo Warren

2. We all have seen Leonardo Da Vinci’s
Mona Lisa, the Apple logo, and a sunflower
but only a few people are able to see the
Golden Ratio that makes them all pleasing
to the eye. What is the golden ratio?
Simply put, it is a mathematical ratio
commonly found in everyday things like
flowers, architecture designs, and art
paintings among others, that bring out an
intrinsically appealing visual and brings out
the harmony in proportion.

3. Whether some call it the
Golden Mean or simply the
Greek letter Phi, the Golden
Ratio has long been utilized
by artists into their designs to
make it seem more naturally
beautiful as even our own
facial body features also
follow the ratio.

4. If you’re yet to familiarize yourself with the use of the
Golden Ratio in design, here are a couple of eye-openers
to help you understand its significance.

5. The math in the Golden
Ratio
In terms of numbers and figures,
the Golden Ratio can simply be
illustrated by dividing a line into
two sections with the longer part
being equal to 1.618 (or Phi)
when it is divided by the shorter
section. It may seem confusing at
first but once you get the entire
mathematical picture, you’ll get to
associate the ratio with
everything else that you find
around you. In terms of design,
the Golden Ratio can be
prevalent in brand logos, model’s
photos, ads, and videos.

6. To most artists, the ratio brings out a certain
X-factor to a design that alludes to a viewer’s
subconscious and attracts him to what he
sees. Remember the film The Da Vinci Code?
Well, the Golden Ratio is directly connected to
how the Fibonacci sequence works, being an
infinite number that can never be used as a
whole or a fraction (much like pi). This
phenomenon probably holds the secret as to
why the mathematical ratio is so appealing to
most of us.

7. The Golden Ratio throughout
history
• Most architects take the Golden Ratio
as sacred and a near perfect avenue to
beauty so they incorporate it in most of
their designs. However, the ratio has
been widely used even during the
ancient times of the Pyramids of Giza
or Phidias’ Greek sculptures and the
many historical buildings and
monuments of the past.

8. Applying the Golden
Ratio in Design
• The ratio is usually used by artists as a
complement to various design elements such as
layout, spacing, or images which can greatly
improve their works visually. It can serve as a
useful guide when you lay down dimensions on
your canvas by dividing it by 1.618 and breaking
the frames into two columns for your photos to
get the Golden Spiral. What you get then is a
perfectly balanced presentation of your images
that harmonizes with the entire workspace.
These are best suited for web designs and other
online layouts.

9. In terms of spacing, applying the Golden
Ratio allows you to use more positive than
negative space in laying out your content.
You may use the ratio multiple times to
present consistencies with your graphic
and text elements and plot out grids as
placement guides for the same via the
Golden Spiral.