Visual, Written and Performing Arts

Designing with the Golden Ratio

Many of the world’s most beautiful things share the same golden ratio (approximately 1.618). This ancient proportion lends order and simplicity to the spirals of sunflower seeds, the Pyramids of Giza, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and even modern-day digital designs. In this course, instructor Michael Ruocco explains how to apply the golden ratio to your design projects to replace static grid systems and layouts, more easily adapt to a variety of screen sizes, and generally create visuals with more harmonious proportions.

Michael covers the mathematics and sacred symmetry behind the golden ratio, as well as how to apply its general principles while removing the sterility of a 12-column grid. He delves into how the golden ratio applies to design elements like type, color, and spacing. Along the way, he offers practical examples of how to apply these principles to the creation of posters, home pages, and more.

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