How To Use The Golden Ratio For Logo Design
Created by Daniel Rotter | https://dribbble.com/shots/19393662-ASCAN-Logo-construction
Behind a beautiful art hidden, certain techniques and rules in its process. It applied to many creative works, including in the graphic design industry. The rules mentioned are mainly to help the creator develop a more dynamic, direct, and appealing work, which can be diverse from one purpose to others, such as logo design. One of the necessary items is the golden ratio.
In graphic design, no matter the form, the said golden ratio, proportion, rule, or anything comes as one of the vital aspects in the planning. It is even called the age-old number, which has been known, used, and proven true in aiding your art to appear more beautiful. Even the old and iconic Monalisa painting also has a hidden ratio in it.
In logo design, the golden proportion has become one of the vital rules in its creation. It goes along with other aspects, such as working with shapes, composition, details, or texts. That is why the golden ratio for logo design is considered something you should apply. But again, it does have certain challenges in its implementation. What is it, and why should you use it?
Created by Kanhaiya Sharma | https://dribbble.com/shots/10449114-appit-app-icon-and-logo-design-golden-ratio-inspired-grid
What is the Golden ratio?
If you are a designer that has a job or challenge in creating logo design, try to understand what is the golden ratio. The general meaning of the said golden proportion is the same across design disciplines or projects. It is a set of numbers used when two quantities are divided to make the same ratio of the sum to the large one of the two quantities.
To make it easier to understand, the golden ratio is a Phi or 1.618. It explains how designers need to determine the design proportion into pieces of different sizes. When using Fibonacci sequences, the demonstration of the pieces' sizes is created from the sum of the two numbers before it.
Created by Alex Spenser | https://dribbble.com/shots/14188499-Logo-Construction
The best example is using 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, etc. The number goes never-ending. It can be a bit surreal in practice, but it is safe to say that those numbers will later turn into visual patterns in the design. In logo design or many other arts, the sequences are in squares. The next step to do is to lay them side by side and create rectangles from the varying squares.
From the arrangement, you can see how the golden ratio starts to form a spiral. This is what creators or designers call a golden spiral. Despite its complicated uses of numbers and equations, the golden spiral is a common occurrence in the world. Nature is the prime example of how golden rectangles and spirals appear. You can see a nautilus shell with its unique spiral.
That spiral and how the number decides the gradually smaller square are the key to the golden ratio for logo design. In its implementation, you can find that some and most of the iconic logos out there also use a similar rule for their planning. It has turned into great and real proof of how important and beneficial the ratio is.
Created by Drawillusion | https://dribbble.com/shots/4545638-Davinci-Management-Monogram-Logo
Why use a golden ratio?
One of the points that make the golden ratio very beneficial is its ability to embrace the expressive nature of the design. In the logo, the natural flow makes the work less robotic or artificial. At the same time, the dynamic proportion and composition aid the reader in finding certain aspects or highlights in the image.
When used in the design, the ratio can appear or form a grid, framework, and proportion planning for the logo. It can be vital for logo creators, considering the point of the visual identity is to lead the audience in finding information. With human nature to follow certain patterns, using the ratio helps lead their eyes. That is why the golden ratio for logo design is considered an attractive addition.
Thankfully, implementing the golden proportion or spiral can be done without a mathematical challenge. In general, the practical application of the ratio in design and art is very common. You can see Twitter, Apple, or Pepsi's logos as the prime example. The key is to learn certain information about the logo, apply the spiral, and ensure the meeting points are the emphasis.
Created by DAINOGO | https://dribbble.com/shots/4367838-Fox-Logo-with-Golden-Ratio-Grids
Tips on using the golden ratio
1. Determine The Key Message Of The Logo
The first obvious point in working with design is to know the message of the project. In logo design, the messages are mostly from the brands. Understanding the message helps determine the flow, the object, and the highlight of the design itself. Take an example of Twitter's design with its bird icon. The simple imagery represents a chirping bird, a Twitter.
The motion and the birds facing toward one direction implement its message. It surely is one of the best implementations of the golden ratio for logo design. The key message of the logo can be in varying forms, including shapes, images, or certain text. With the detail in mind and plan, you can start laying the golden rules and following your needs.
Created by Paulius Kairevicius | https://dribbble.com/shots/11981547-Fastic-Logo-Design
2. Decide The Width And Height Of The Logo
There is no exact rule or step in creating or implementing the golden ratio. In logos, every design comes with its unique intake providing a set of casual or varying ways of delivering messages. One of the most impactful points that can change the use of measurement is the width and height. Surprisingly enough, you cannot simply apply the spiral in whatever your work is.
This is where the calculation started. Determine the size of the logo as well as the proportion you are trying to use. From the size, you will see how to fully improve the golden ratio in the logo. Use 1: 1,618 as the size is different. Or you can use the easier Fibonacci number of combination numbers. Take an example of 2 px, 3px, 5 px, and 8 px for a ruler grid.
Created by Kanhaiya Sharma | https://dribbble.com/shots/9758755-Logo-design-for-Appit
3. Apply The Ratio For Logo Framework
One of the reasons to use the golden ratio for logo design is to make a certain flow of the image. Since you can determine the size, it will help create a significant size difference in the logo and the overall brand message. Does that mean every worker can implement the spiral rule? No, One thing is for sure, The Golden Spiral can be used in several forms or tools.
If you cannot use the spiral, try grids, gutters, columns, and spacing rules. That is why the implementation is mainly to adjust to the framework you are trying to use. Apple, Twitter, and Porsche logos use the spiral ratio. But the non-circular design uses a different grid pattern, such as the National Geographic rectangle's shape or the Chevron arrow design.
Toyota uses grid measurement for its logo design. The number is 1, 1.618 when creating the iconic middle shapes. It explains that the key is not about using the spiral or focusing on the circular motion of the ratio but the calculation itself. It is best to pinpoint that not everything with the same size is attractive; a bit of size difference makes the logo more natural.
Created by Kanhaiya Sharma | https://dribbble.com/shots/10882505-Passika-Creations-Art-Gallery-PC-logo
4. Place Object As The Highlight Of The Logo
A big misconception in design is that adding a certain eye-catching substance aids people to see it more. Surprisingly, the rule helps create the best proportion and place to put that object in the logo. Take an example of Apple's iconic bitten fruit icon. At a glance, the appearance of the bitten part is simply to represent the fruit as an apple, not a cherry.
But when you fully embrace and master the golden ratio for logo design ideas, the bitten part is the highlight of the logo design. Using a golden spiral and implementing ranges or varying-sized circles, the creator captures the position of the bitten part on the top right side. It is the best scale of the ratio, located in one of the places where people's eyes easily mote to capture it as a highlight.
Created by Daniel Rotter | https://dribbble.com/shots/14491184-Sch-fer-Ger-stbau-construction-01
5. Use Shapes To Work With Golden Ratio
As you see how Apple has its bitten part as the center of the golden ratio, it also highlights that the rules are flexible in their implementation. Apple uses circle shapes to properly implement the golden spiral. But you can also use the golden rectangle ratio for designs that mostly depend on using a grid to form the foundation.
A series of circles on the inside of the squares make it easier to work with logos, such as Apple or Twitter. But there are also chances that you want to work with sharper angles, which call for the square or rectangle. On another note, you can create different logo elements by combining shapes. But don't scale the shapes to avoid losing proportion.
Created by Tiamin | https://dribbble.com/shots/7053897-Eye-of-Horus-golden-ratio-logo
6. Pay Attention On The Proportion
Pay attention to what kind of proportion you want to implement in the visual identity. With precise width and height information, you can utilize the golden ratio for a logo design to create the best proportion. Remember that the point and the purpose of using the ratio are mainly to create a more fluid and dynamic appearance in work.
Meanwhile, the first thing that aids you is to get that idea in proportion. Of course, there are a lot of online tools or design features that help you get the proper calculation for the golden proportion. And that makes the visual identity more acceptable for the golden rules or proportion. But what is the easiest way to implement the idea?
If you are interested in using the ratio in logo design, try to use Fibonacci's sequence. The easiest number ratio will be 1:5, which is similar to 1:2, 1:3, or 2:3. When you can determine this point, it is easier to see at what points you can put elements on the design without destroying or messing up the proportion.
Created by Daniel Rotter | https://dribbble.com/shots/14386788-DR-construction-02
7. Use It To Define Composition
Placement of certain objects, points of interest, or focal points are one aspect that makes a logo design win or lose. This is why many designers use the golden ratio to define the best composition to place the object. In its uses, you can both use the rectangle or the golden grid. But one of the best options is using the rectangle grid to engrave the attractive element into it.
The key mostly helps in creating the harmonical composition for the audience to follow. It might sound and appear random in the beginning. But when properly used, every element has its way of leading to certain points. In the Twitter logo, for example, the smallest scale of the ratio is on the beak, which is a point that explains the brand's purpose.
Created by DAINOGO | https://dribbble.com/shots/4535545-Bird-Logo-and-Golden-Ratio-Grids
8. Employ It For Image Balance
In many ways, you can also find designers that refer to the golden ratio as the rule of third. Of course, it is pretty different, but both rules have similar functions to aid the design to appear more fluid. In the case of the rule of thirds, the biggest implementation is on photography. But when you can combine it with the ratio for logo design, that will create a well-balanced image.
In the rule of thirds, you will split the screen, canvas, or drawing media into three sections, both vertically and horizontally. You will get nine squares and intersection points. It is believed that placing the focal points on the intersecting lines will look more aesthetically pleasing. Similar to the golden spiral with a Fibonacci number, the framework will eventually have a focal point at a certain intersection.
Created by Strigy Design | https://dribbble.com/shots/11282078-Symbol-Construction-Strigy-Design
9. Add Text And Typography With Golden Ratio
Logo design also comes with text and typography (not all). As an element of design, the choice of design in the text or font can create a certain impression. It can work, support other elements, or be lackluster. Font or text design is not only about size, color, and style; it also includes the text hierarchy through proper sizing.
This is where you can find the measurement works as the best solution. In its uses, the Fibonacci sequence works to determine the best sizes for every typography needed in the logo design. Take an example of the slogan text is the smallest one in 10px. You will need to use the bigger font for the brand name, with at least 1.168 bigger than the slogan. It also applies four leading, cape height, and many more.
Created by David Silva | https://dribbble.com/shots/6113575-Grid-Logotipo-Sinck-Solucoes
10. Find More Inspiration Or Examples
The implementation of the golden ratio in logo design can appear easy or difficult for certain creators. It is also best to note that every brand comes with different or possible design ideas. This means the possibilities to work with the golden spiral or rectangles are endless. It is best to get more ideas or inspiration on how well-known logos out there can fully embrace the idea.
Try to check and see any possibilities of the ratio in different types of logos. Check circle-shaped design, rectangular one, or many other possible shapes. Learning the uses from a unique style or model might also help understand the best uses of the golden measurement. You might find many exceptional ideas on using the Fibonacci sequence, golden circle, or square ratio in it.
Created by Davit Chanadiri | https://dribbble.com/shots/4061919-Geometry-Horse
Final Words
At the end of the day, you should underline that there are a lot of design works that depend on using the golden ratio. The rules are pretty much applicable in almost every design product, which include the logo. Due to the nature of a logo being a visual identity, the implementation of the measurement can be a bit more complex than others.
One needs to understand the real meaning or the vital message from the company before applying the said golden proportion or rule. It will help to consider what kind of object or aspect to highlight in work. At the same time, there are also many possible ways to implement the idea for logo design. You can find one working with a circle, grid, or rectangular.
Created by Oleg Frolov | https://dribbble.com/shots/4241875-1-618-circles
It is a grounding for design, including making the logo more proportional, dynamic, and appealing. Based on what and how the creator wants to implement the rule, it can appear as part of the typography, image, composition, weight, height, or shape of the work. When properly used, the golden percentage will later lead the audience's attention.
Using a golden ratio for logo design is not something new again. It can be adapted and used in varying ways, including but not limited to every element in the projects. But the key goes back to the creator on how they can create authentic works that still represent the brand. Search for more examples for better inspiration, so you know how to use them properly.
Logo design or many other creative projects, directly or not, will need to use the golden ratio. However, it needs or takes more experience to be fully implemented in the project. It can be applied with varying ideas, styles, or for unique purposes. Thus, the creator can develop a properly planned, attractive, and memorable impact on the logo.