Fibonacci’s golden ratio might not be universal, but it is a fantastic visual rule
On April of this year, John Brownlee published a story in Fast Company about how the golden ratio is just a myth. In it, John tries to debunk the significance of this ratio and its usability. He asks a few designers if they use it, but he does not provide an account of how many designers he reached, and how many do use this “golden rule.”
We live in a world where we consume content in rectangular screens, rectangular paper, rectangular walls, rectangular books, postcards, brochures, signage and catalogs. Fibonacci’s golden ratio or golden rule applies strongly in these surfaces, objects or devices. It is a well balanced rule of thirds and a strong guide to distribute objects and create a pleasant visual image. It is not about a number, 1.618, it is about creating an invisible grid that helps create interest and disruption to a well set grid where you layout your visual design.
Giorgia Lupi of Accurat indicates to never use it, however many of their projects have a rule of thirds or close distribution to this golden ratio.
The article John wrote is posted in Fast Company’s website, which interestingly enough is set on this golden ratio. If you’re to consider most desktop screens are set to a ratio of 16:10, you’ll see in the image at at this ratio, the website displays an interesting distribution. If it is a coincidence, then the it is a proof of serendipitously aligning to the rule, and if is intentional, I need to say no more.
Fibonnaci’s spiral, golden rule, golden ratio cannot be stretched or cropped to cover an area, however it can be flipped on its horizontal or vertical axis. There is an overlay of the spiral on top of The Sacrament of the Last Supper, 1955, by Salvador Dali on the Fast Co story. However, in my rendition, on the right, of the golden rule overlay spiral, notice how the disciple on the left aligns at the climax or concentration of the spiral center. The fourth disciple from the left is on center of the 1.618, almost all disciples heads are leveled on that horizontal axis as well.
Keith Devlin, a professor of mathematics at Stanford University, was quoted in John’s article saying “We’re creatures who are genetically programmed to see patterns and to seek meaning…” Designers of all fields are using this rule as a guide or very methodically, just like westerners read from left to right, it is a human rule, thus in a visual design practice, it works, it is not a myth.
Do designers need to use this rule? The answer is no. Would your designs improve by using this rule? Try it, you’ll decide if it is worth using it.
In my experience when working and collaborating with many other designers and visual driven artists, I have used this golden ratio as a guide, a robust rule of thumb if you may. I can attest that at the very least it provides a fantastic distribution and grid that is easy to build upon. More importantly, it is the designer who chooses what tools, guides, grids and elements will be used on any project, remember that unless you know what the rule is there, you don’t know what can or should be broken.
