Golden Ratio in UI design
In the world of design, aesthetics and visual appeal play a crucial role in creating an engaging user experience. One principle that has been used for centuries to create visually pleasing designs is the golden ratio. This mathematical concept has been used in art, architecture, and graphic design for centuries to create balance and harmony. But what about its application in UI design? In this article, we will explore the concept of the golden ratio and its role in UI design. We will also discuss how designers can apply the golden ratio in their designs to create visually pleasing and harmonious user interfaces that enhance the user experience.
What is Golden Raito?
The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion or golden mean, is a mathematical concept that has been used in design and art for centuries. It is a ratio that is found in nature, architecture, and other forms of design. The golden ratio is a mathematical ratio of approximately 1.618 to 1, and it is calculated by dividing a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is equal to the whole length divided by the longer part.
This ratio has been used in different fields to create a sense of balance and harmony in designs. For instance, in architecture, the golden ratio has been used to create aesthetically pleasing proportions in buildings. In art, it has been used to create balanced compositions that are pleasing to the eye.
For example :
The Parthenon: The Parthenon, an ancient Greek temple in Athens, is an example of how the golden ratio has been used in architecture. The ratio is evident in the design of the building’s columns, which are wider at the base and narrower at the top
Sunflower: The seed arrangement in the center of a sunflower follows the golden ratio. The spirals created by the seeds are in a pattern of 34 spirals in one direction and 55 spirals in the other direction, which are both Fibonacci numbers that approximate the golden ratio.
The Mona Lisa: The Mona Lisa, a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, is believed to have been created using the golden ratio. The composition of the painting, including the placement of the subject’s face and the background landscape, follows the golden ratio.
Spiral galaxies: The spiral arms of many galaxies follow a pattern that approximates the golden ratio.
The Role of the Golden Ratio in UI Design
The golden ratio plays a significant role in UI design because it helps in visual compositions. By following the golden ratio, designers can create interfaces that are visually appealing and easy to use. Here are some specific ways in which the golden ratio is used in UI design:
Layouts: When designing the layout of an interface, designers can use the golden ratio to determine the size and placement of different elements. For example, the width of a sidebar or the height of a header can be determined using the golden ratio.
Typography: The golden ratio can also be used to determine the size and spacing of typography in UI design. By using the ratio between font sizes and line heights, designers can create a typographic hierarchy that is visually balanced and easy to read.
Icons and buttons: The golden ratio can be used to determine the size and placement of icons and buttons in UI design. By following the ratio, designers can create icons and buttons that are easy to recognize and use.
Images and graphics: The golden ratio can also be used to determine the placement and size of images and graphics in UI design. By following the ratio, designers can create visual compositions that are visually balanced and harmonious.
Applying the Golden Ratio to UX Design and More
Layouts
Here, we have 2 layout wireframes, in the first image, the banner image on the right covers 50% of the space (width=1440px) making the width of the banner 700px.To make this layout adhere to the Golden ratio rule , we divide the whole width by 1.618; 1440/ 1.618 = 890, and the remaining becomes 550px.When designing on mobile , we divide the layout Height by 1.618. to get the desired composition.
The layout is divided into 2 parts and 521/323 = 1.61 aka The Golden Ratio
Typography
For typography to compose to The Golden Ratio, we take one base size , preferably the smallest we want and then keep multiplying it by 1.618 to get various other sizes, in Figma , fortunately we have a plugin for this called as Typescales where it prints out all the sizes for you.
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Should You Use The Golden Ratio In Your Designs?
Pros:
Visual harmony: The golden ratio is a visually appealing proportion that can create a sense of balance and harmony in a design. This can help to make the UI/UX more aesthetically pleasing and engaging.
Consistency: By using the golden ratio as a basis for design, you can create a consistent look and feel across your UI/UX, which can improve user experience and reduce confusion.
Timeless design: The golden ratio has been used in design for centuries and is considered a timeless principle. By incorporating it into your UI/UX, you can create a design that is less likely to become outdated quickly.
Cons:
Too rigid: The golden ratio can sometimes be too rigid, leading to designs that feel forced or constrained. If you rely too heavily on the golden ratio, you may end up sacrificing usability or functionality for the sake of visual harmony.
Limited application: The golden ratio is not a one-size-fits-all solution and may not work in all situations. There may be cases where other design principles or techniques are more appropriate.
Complexity: Working with the golden ratio can be complex and time-consuming, especially for designers who are not familiar with the concept. This can add extra time and effort to the design process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using the golden ratio in UI/UX design can be a powerful tool for creating visually appealing and balanced designs. However, it is important to use it appropriately and not rely too heavily on it at the expense of usability or functionality.
Moreover, it all comes down to what kind of project you are creating, there are many other design principles for compositions and one should experiment and see whatever fits best