What is the Golden Ratio in Web Design?
While not everyone may have heard of the golden ratio, it’s actually a mathematical theory that dates back over 4,000 years. Invented by the Ancient Greeks, the golden ratio is all about achieving aesthetic harmony and balance. So, how does it work with regards to web design?
Golden ratio explained
The golden ratio is a theory that uses maths to determine how different elements can be placed together to create a harmonious look and feel. It’s by no means a new concept and has been used in the construction of many famous buildings, in nature and music, as well as by renowned artists such as Salvador Dali and Leonardo Da Vinci.
The theory states that the different sized elements used to create something should equal 1:1.618. This is often represented by spiral shapes and goes by the formula A/B = (A+B)/A = 1.618. So, if length A is equal to 100 px, then length B would be 161.80 px.
You first need to work out the length of the smallest element and then multiply this by 1.618 to achieve the ideal length of the bigger element. This could relate to images on a page, artwork, photography, as well as all other areas of design.
Golden ratio in web design
One of the major characteristics of effective design is a clear user interface. All the elements of the website need to be well-balanced and placed so that users can easily understand the information on the screen and interact without any effort.
A website design company will make use of the principles of the golden ratio theory to understand how different design elements are best placed on a screen to enhance the user experience. This will include considering small elements such as icons, buttons, and logos to larger elements like images and text.
By using the golden ratio theory, a web developer can ensure that all the elements are in proportion to each other, are harmoniously balanced, organised, and easy to read, without looking out of place.
These designs just look right. Images, blocks of text, sidebars, buttons, etc can be placed in golden rectangles that form a “perfect” design. This makes visitors feel comfortable viewing the website because it, sub-consciously, reminds them of familiar works of art and, particularly, nature.
If you’re looking for a web design company that builds aesthetically pleasing results, contact us today.
