We here at Gogogic have uncovered an anchient information-design mystery, how to design an arrow that is pleasing to the eye and mathematically perfect.
The design is based on the golden ratio or ‘the golden section’ which is defined like this:
The golden section is a line segment sectioned into two according to the golden ratio. The total length a + b is to the longer segment a as a is to the shorter segment b.
And so it is. If you put together an arrow, begin by setting up the tip of the arrow with a 90° angle. From there you can set the length of the stem based on the height of the tip.
Stem_lenght = tip_height *3
And then set the width of the stem, which should be 2 thirds of the width of the tip.
Stem_width = (tip_width/3)*2
And now you’re done! This arrow is very pleasing to the eye , more noticeble and readable. It can be scaled to any size while keeping the proportions intact.
March 7, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Nice! Hats off to your arrow science.
It really does work, it’s a good and proper arrow. It kind of breaks down in the narrowest version though … maybe it’s the angle of the triangle sides, or maybe it’s that the length of the bulk should only affect the aspect of the head so much.
January 15, 2013 at 11:44 pm
Wow, that’s what I was searching for, what a stuff! existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this web page.