The Fibonacci Sequence, the Golden Ratio, and

Design
Jennifer Hand, PharmD
SED 496 Spring 2022
Learning Targets:
1. I know how to identify and generate the Fibonacci Sequence.
2. I know how the Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio are connected.
3. I know how to use the Fibonacci Sequence draw a Golden Spiral.
Which One Doesn’t Belong?
https://blog.prototypr.io/golden-ratio-what-it-is-and-why-should-you-use-it-in-design-7c3f43bcf98
REVIEW: What is a Ratio?
A ratio is used to compare big or small numbers to each other.

We use ratios to compare numbers using division.

For example, if we have 8 apples and 5 oranges, the ratio of apples to oranges is 8 to
5. We show this in the following ways:

8/5 8:5 8 to 5 1.6

Also, the ratio of oranges to apples is the reverse:

5/8 5:8 5 to 8 0.625

https://www.cuemath.com/commercial-math/ratio/
The Fibonacci Sequence:
A sequence is a list of numbers in a special order or number pattern.

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144 …..

Each number in the Fibonacci sequence is obtained by adding the
previous 2 numbers together. 0+1 = 1; 1+1 = 2; 1+2 = 3; 2+3 = 5,
and so on: 3 + 5 = _______; 5 + 8 = _______; 8 + 13 = ________
https://www.livescience.com/37470-fibonacci-sequence.html
https://www.mathsisfun.com/definitions/sequence.html
What is the Golden Ratio?
Two numbers are in the golden ratio if their ratio is the same as the ratio of their
sum and the larger number. Whew! That’s a mouthful! Let’s illustrate this:

The line below shows lengths a and b, totalling a+b.

If [(a+b) / a] is the same as [a / b], then the 2 numbers are golden!

How are the Fibonacci Sequence and Golden Ratio Connected?

Glad you asked, let’s find out:

For any 2 numbers that are next to each other, let’s check if (big+small)/big is the same as big/small:

Fibonacci 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144 …

Ratios (2+3)/3 = ________ 3/2 = ________

(34+21)/34 = ________ 34/21 = _________

(144+89)/144 = ________ 144/89 = ________

The higher up in the Fibonacci sequence you go, the closer the numbers next to each other are to both
equalling the golden ratio of 1.680339887….. It is an irrational number, because it never ends. It’s math
symbol is the greek letter phi:
Why does this matter?
The Fibonacci Sequence and the Golden Ratio both show up in nature, and play a
role in art, design and engineering.
They are the building blocks of spiral patterns that show up in many different natural
phenomena: galaxies, hurricanes, shells, the unfurling patterns of fern fronds, chicken eggs
and more. There seems to be an inherent efficiency to this pattern.

https://insteading.com/blog/fibonacci-sequence-in-nature/
How is the Golden Ratio applied to design?
Using the golden ratio, phi or 1.68 is a way to create images that are pleasing to the eye and can
be used to design logos:

https://thelogocreative.medium.com/how-to-use-the-golden-ratio-in-graphic-design-f739dfa7fb43
The Golden Ratio in Architecture (breakout room):
Here are 2 classic examples with the measurements, and 1example without the
measurements:

Can you find the golden ratio in the 3rd photo?

The Golden Ratio in Art - Create Pleasing Portraits:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-divine-proportions-of-the-face-and-the-golden-ratio_
fig2_221472863

https://craftwhack.com/the-golden-ratio-in-art/
 Let’s draw a Golden Spiral!
Here’s a link to a slide deck with graph paper, and a starter template for you to
use:
https://docs.gogle.com/presentation/d/1OC5eGE0weA3xCQpJ8W_iAkFGkecf0BB7YCn66sUJFSQ/edit?usp=sharingo
You can use this page, or download graph paper here:
https://free-printable-paper.com/5x5-graph-ruled-paper/
 Or, you can use this Graphic Organizer: here’s the link:
https://docs.gogle.com/presentation/d/1OC5eGE0weA3xCQpJ8W_iAkFGkecf0BB7YCn66sUJFSQ/edit?usp=sharingo
Here’s how to start the spiral (Graph paper is helpful):
1. Start in the lower right quadrant and draw a tiny square - this is the seed:
2. Draw another tiny square, same size, right above #1:
3. Draw a 2/2 square to the right of the 2 tiny squares:
Keep going, adding squares, following the Fibunacci Sequence:

4. Draw a 3x3 square directly on top of the stack:

5. Draw a 5x5 square directly to the left of the stack:
Keep going!
6. Draw an 8x8 square directly below the stack:
7. Draw a 13x13 square directly to the right of the stack:
8. Continue through the fibonacci numbers, until you run out of room!
To finish, sketch the spiral, starting in the 1x1 squares:
Use a compass, or freehand sketch the curves.

Draw the curves from 1 corner to the diagonal corner, then move to the next box.

Keep going, and connect the spirals from box to box, around the inner edges.
Voila, you have a Fibonacci Spiral to use as a template!
Erase the squares, and use the spiral to draw a sea shell, fern frond, etc or keep
the squares and use your template to choose proportions for drawings of faces,
buildings, flowers, or whatever!
Place your paper template inside a clear page
protector.
Trace it onto the outside of the protector with a
PERMANENT marker.
Remove the paper, and you have a clear template.
Use the paper template with carbon paper to trace
the pattern onto other images, or a blank paper for a
fresh drawing.
Use the clear template to hold up to objects in the
real world, near & far, to see the golden ratio!

https://www.livescience.com/37470-fibonacci-sequence.html
How to draw a perfect Golden Spiral:
Here’s a selection of videos to demonstrate how-to:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+draw+a+fibonacci+spiral
Exit ticket:
Fill in the missing numbers in the following Fibunacci Sequence:

0, __, 1, 2, __, 5, 8, __, 21, 34, 55, __ …

Math is fun! Art is fun! Math + Art is double-fun!