Golden Ratio

I’m pleased to offer the following from our first guest author: Robert Bausch.

How can you get that perfectly pleasing proportion for cropping a photo? What’s the perfect balance when dividing Power Point slide or chart? Got something the right height and wondering about best proportional width?

Try the Golden Ratio Calculator.

Wikipedia describes The golden ratio as an irrational mathematical constant, approximately 1.6180339887.

Other names frequently used for the golden ratio are the golden section (Latin: sectio aurea) and golden mean.

1:1.618!

Throughout history artists and architects have proportioned their works to approximate the golden ratio; especially in the form of the golden rectangle, in which the ratio of the longer side to the shorter is the golden ratio – 1:1.618 – believing this proportion to be aesthetically pleasing. Mathematicians have studied the golden ratio because of its unique and interesting properties.

There are lots of cool examples of its appearance in nature and use in art and architecture. Google “Golden Section” and see.

Hey, life is art; you should consider using this. It’s a simple and arbitrary way to get “divine proportion” in just about anything! Doesn’t matter if you are drawing a rectangle, ordering a picture frame, or cutting a brownie out of a tray in the break room.

Check it out.

*Visit wikipedia here.