There have been numerous researchers who, over the years, have explored the relationship between the golden ratio and how it relates to the human perception of beauty.udAlthough the golden proportion is one of the aesthetic characteristics contained in many masterpieces of art and design, it is still largely thought of as little more than an aesthetic guideline, that is, if indeed it is even being considered at all.udThis thesis asserts that golden proportion and practical geometric knowledge can be used as an extremely effective means of codifying the creative process, inspiring andudinfluencing creative design decisions. This thesis is concerned with examining the application of practical geometric knowledge as an integral part of the design process. It also documents the development of the author’s geometric refinement tools and discussesudthe results of their performance in testing by scrutinizing the opinions of design studentsudand professional designers who both had their designs modified by the author’s refinement tools. The relationship between geometric knowledge embedded in design classics and bestselling items was also examined.udThis thesis describes a mixed methods approach with multiple analyses, from which qualitative and quantitative data (about the implementation of applying geometric knowledge) was gathered via two geometry workshops, interviews with the professional designers, as well as an analysis of visual materials consisting of two hundred selected design examples. Based upon the process of employing geometric knowledge and its experiments, the thesis presents a descriptive analysis of the data to test theoretical propositions and draw conclusions about the value of applying practical geometry as design knowledge and as a practical tool for a design in the modern context. udThe significance of this thesis is that it elucidates upon the use of the golden ratio, andudpractical geometry as a practical design refinement tool, with the ability to transform the perception of practical geometry from being merely an aesthetic guideline which appears in masterpieces from the past, to a directly applicable practical design technique.udThe main contribution this thesis makes to the field of design practice is that it attempts to further understand the results achieved by codifying designing styles and design decisions, a process which can be described as objective rational knowledge in practice.udThis thesis frames individual design participants’ perspectives of the golden ratio and the relationship between modern designs and the masterpieces of history. Thereby, hopefully providing a historical perspective and a modern context for the golden ratio. Further to that, it is the author’s hope that this work will provide inspiration to today’s designers, motivating them to begin implementing practical geometry into their designs and in the future generations of design education to come.
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