Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio is actually a math equation. The ratio itself is 1:1.618... (continued). It states that in a line, if you divide it into two parts, the longer part divided by the shorter part is equal to the whole line divided by the longer section, which will equal 1.618... . (...what?) I know it seems like this has nothing to do with art, but it does, believe me.
If you look at the picture to the left, it will help explain. So let's say we have a rectangle with a width of 1 and a length of 1.618... like this one. If we divide the rectangle so that there is a 1 by 1 square and a 0.618... by 1 rectangle left, the rectangle would be exactly proportionate to the first big rectangle. This pattern can go on and on. This can also be used with other shapes, but a rectangle is the easiest.
Still wondering what this has to do with art? Good question. This pattern is extremely pleasing to the eye. We now have scientific evidence that our brains automatically recognize this pattern. Whether we have been genetically programmed to like it or we find it pleasing due to all the examples around us, the golden ratio has been used for a long time.
If you look at the picture to the left, it will help explain. So let's say we have a rectangle with a width of 1 and a length of 1.618... like this one. If we divide the rectangle so that there is a 1 by 1 square and a 0.618... by 1 rectangle left, the rectangle would be exactly proportionate to the first big rectangle. This pattern can go on and on. This can also be used with other shapes, but a rectangle is the easiest.
Still wondering what this has to do with art? Good question. This pattern is extremely pleasing to the eye. We now have scientific evidence that our brains automatically recognize this pattern. Whether we have been genetically programmed to like it or we find it pleasing due to all the examples around us, the golden ratio has been used for a long time.
Used in art, the golden ratio is the most mysterious of all compositional strategies. We know that by creating images based on this rectangle our art will be more likely to appeal to the human eye, but we don’t know why. The spirals have been used in artwork for as long as the numbers and ratios themselves. The theory is that areas of negative space and visual interested should fit within the spiral. Within this graceful layout, as with the rule of thirds, the eye is naturally drawn to the center of the spiral to look for details. Using this makes a composition more appealing to the eye.
The golden ratio is seen everywhere in nature. For plants, the ratio might be used because the particular growth pattern is the most effective to get maximum exposure to light or to produce the most seeds.
Advanced Golden Ratio - Golden Ratio in Our Everyday Lives
You see the golden ratio being used more than you think you do. Actually, you probably see it being used almost every day. Just as the golden ratio looks nice in paintings, it also looks nice when used in logos. Some examples? The Pepsi logo, Toyota logo, Hyundai logo, i Cloud logo, Apple logo and Twitter logo all use the golden ratio to some extent.