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The iCloud logo and the golden ratio

by Dave Caolo Jun 24th 2011 at 8:26AM

Apple's commitment to thoughtful design is legendary, and here's another example. The iCloud logo uses the golden ratio.

In short, the golden ratio is an irrational mathematical constant that often occurs in nature. When applied to design, the results are considered aesthetically pleasing. Artists have been using it for centuries, including Leonardo da Vinci and Salvador Dali.

Takamasa Matsumoto of Design Archive considered the iCloud logo's irregular shape, and took some measurements. He found that the golden ratio was represented by the cloud's inner "circles" as well as the cloud as a whole.

Well done, Apple.

[Via Business Insider]



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Apple's commitment to thoughtful design is legendary, and here's another example. The iCloud logo uses the golden ratio. In short, the...
 

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26 Comments

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Martin C

Used at jsfiddle.net for a long time too.

http://jsfiddle.net/

June 29 2011 at 9:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MattTalbot

www.mobileme.com has the same cloud shape as apple's iCloud, and that's been around quite a while, doesn't really feel like they stole anything

June 29 2011 at 1:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
grgkpln

Are you all insane? That's the exact same cloud shape I saw in the sky on February 17, 2004, just before lunchtime. Get a grip, people.

June 27 2011 at 8:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SnarkyAkimbo

This is so typical of Fan Boy BS. The service may suck be the logo's great, so Apple is run by gods! Ugh...

June 27 2011 at 7:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
olenbabarracus

It wasn't just the soundcloud logo. There is a Cloud app on the appstore that uses that exact same shape. I think it's a standard clipart of a cloud or something. I think there's even a cloud in Little Big Planet 2 with the same shape as well.

June 27 2011 at 7:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Charlie Bagoni

So Apple not only stole the idea, they stole the logo too....bravo

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/09/apple-wi-fi-sync_n_873960.html

June 26 2011 at 8:48 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Charlie Bagoni's comment
SnarkyAkimbo

Saw this too... yep, but stealing from a kids doesn't really fit the Apple brand. Insipid info-blogs about the logo do though...

June 27 2011 at 7:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Erik Zitzermann

Nice, a golden icon!
Taking advantage of the occasion, here is a little app to calculate the golden ratio that you might like:
http://phiratio.erikzitzermann.com

June 25 2011 at 7:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Arun Vijayan

Wait. Wasn't this the logo of soundcloud.com even before Apple announced it?

June 24 2011 at 11:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
3 replies to Arun Vijayan's comment
augusto ferreira

These small details is what makes the difference at Apple.

June 24 2011 at 11:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
donalanser

At least its better than the Microsoft 'Cloud' logo that looks like a bunch of old Super 8 reels.

June 24 2011 at 10:57 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
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