Inkscape Tutorial: Golden Ratio Logo Design

Construct a vector bird logo with circles that fit the golden ratio, using Inkscape.
This tutorial is for Inkscape version 0.92 and is intended to teach beginners how to use the software. Inkscape is a great free alternative to Illustrator and Corel Draw.
Want to learn more about how Inkscape works? Check out the Inkscape Master Class - a comprehensive series of over 50 videos where I go over every tool, feature and function in Inkscape and explain what it is, how it works, and why it's useful: logosbynick.com/inkscape
Need a logo made? Request a design at: www.logosbynick.com/
Intro song: "In Da Mood" by Combustibles, used with written permission

[@LogosByNick]

If you want to learn more about how Inkscape works, I have a 50+ part video series where I explain all of the tools and features in Inkscape and demonstrate how they work. Here's the link if interested: logosbynick.com/inkscape/

[@johnvarghese6553]

@@rungrezSTUDIOThe circle might not have closed. the object should be closed to fill color. Hope this helps!

[@robert-cs1dv]

0:42 you lied- nothing is in description about it

[@albertohouston4712]

I guess im asking randomly but does any of you know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@simonaaron7793]

@Alberto Houston instablaster =)

[@albertohouston4712]

@Simon Aaron thanks for your reply. I got to the site through google and im in the hacking process atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@paulfigueiredo3168]

I recently discovered after quite a while playing with Inkscape, the joy of holding down the alt key and drawing a line through the shapes I want to select instead of shift clicking on each of them. Changed my life.

[@LogosByNick]

Yes that's really convenient. I should probably get in the habit of doing that.

[@guscantieni4059]

Thanks!!

[@jindrichcink8378]

I tried this too, but for some reason after division, inkscape puts thousands of nodes on each shape. If I use simplify, then it distorts some of them so they dont touch.. Any help please? EDIT: and problem is that because of amount of the nodes it takes a few seconds for my PC to select them

[@VR_Layno]

@@jindrichcink8378 Had the same Experience 🙌🏼

[@seshlinnaidoo921]

Omg thank u dude for sharing that. That's so cool and very helpful

[@SoumaMondal]

This is pretty mind blowing. I'm starting to see circles in logos EVERYWHERE

[@AZskylite]

I love the intro music and glad the tutorial is a noise-free-zone. Cute bird! Thanks, Nick.

[@dotanmori2629]

You are a great tutor! I am a Front End developer and lately taken interest in UI design, I just watched this for the first time, and couldnt believe how simple and clear you made what appear to be quite a complicated task. You inspire me. I am in awe. Thanks!

[@slowslowday4511]

The trick of division after drawing a rectangle is amazing. Thanks for your tut.

[@kudzaichisvo1019]

ALL your tutorials are amazing Nick. My life is financially transforming for better each year since 2013. I owe you and Inkscape Development from 0.48 to 0.92 Team a lot. :-)

[@elita185]

Thank you so much Nick! I studied Chemical Engineering but I've always been interested in graphic design and I do your tutorials as a way of getting closer to something I really love doing and I'm learning a lot in the process. Keep up the great job!!

[@____-gy5mq]

‎

[@shater1164]

So finally you've done a GR vid tut using Inkscape, thanks much Nick.

[@girett012]

i recently found your videos and is amazing all the tutorials that you have about gimp and inkscape!!! It's amazing how much the open source community has grown!

[@khaotik.weirdo]

This is so neat. I started to use Inkscape pretty recently (only as a hobby tho, I'm no professional in Design) and your tutorials have helped significantly. They have also spared me a huge deal of frustration lmao. Infinite thanks.

[@garystanley2517]

I have to say, I'm a Linux guy and use Inkscape & the Gimp all the time ... your tutorials have really opened my eyes as to what is possible using both programs and your explanations/teaching method is first class. Love your tutorials ... love this video ... please keep doing what you do ...

[@rachelholton9983]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! You are clear and concise! Within 35 mins I created my first project ever in inkscape (or any design program) and it looks adorable!!!! Thanks again! I'll definitely be supporting you when I can!! :)

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Your tutorials have really helped me. I am into doing tracing and some shading now, and thanks to you I'm getting a good feel for using Inkscape! Thanks : )

[@ronbrooks3026]

Thanks for the tutorial. I been studying this, on and off, for about a month and your tutorial helped.

[@alvindior5508]

Thanks Nick! I'm learning inkscape, and your tutorials are really helpful. After following through, I was astonished that I could create such a cool logo like this.

[@kensleylewis]

The best nick tutorial I've seen so far for inkscape. nice job

[@rongold6936]

This is amazing! I recently started dabbing in to graphic design and your lessons are golden my friend!

[@makesscents5547]

Wow! two days ago I was trying to look up for an Inkscape tutorial about Golden Ratio and I was even wondering if you do apply the concept in your previous tutorials. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'm very surprised by this tutorial. :)

[@LogosByNick]

Great timing

[@lepiakadodo3724]

One of the best videos about golden ratio. Thanks Nick

[@salmanbabar]

Thanks Nick, I've been waiting for this one for a long time. Looks a little bit difficult, but I'll get a hang of it once I try it. You've been doing a great job. Keep it up.

[@kimnejudne]

Thanks! I just subscribed. I really need these kind of tutorials. Please don't stop making them.

[@NebucadLaVey]

Thank you Nick, i realy appreciate it to see a tutorial with golden ratio made in inkscape :)

[@gayathrikonkesa4131]

This was amazing i think i referred to over 10 videos before coming to this and i say that it's incredible you made logo making easier....lots of love to you 🥰

[@mariaselegean3942]

Awesome video nick ! i just installed inkscape so i could actually USE your tutorials. thank you so much, thumbs up ! :D

[@ayushguptame]

I just started Inkscape. And this was my first logo i created it is looking stunning

[@odimau]

O melhor designer do KZbin!

[@ElieUbogizeelie]

thank you very much because i saw tuto for illustrator but not with inkscape ^^

[@andreasbraess3759]

Hello saw the IA tutorial also just this morning :D and thought how could do it with Inkscape. What possible by other can better out. What you must change by a Logo that it fit better in golden ration. I mean from design on paper to golden ratio on on computer. :)

[@ElieUbogizeelie]

Andreas Braess ok thank you for the advice ^^

[@abhishek0603]

Thank you so much ! Was looking for alternative to shape builder, you opened my eyes .

[@korovkami9158]

i dont know what to say, Nick. I learned a lot from your vids. You are the best!!!

[@linuxstudent5158]

Amazing work and very easily explained....loved it.. surprised to see such quality work received so few likes.

[@cherten1]

Nick Fantastic I have repeated this over about 5 times and I did it. WOW, what a feeling of accomplishment. I love this most of all, can you do another one based on the Golden Ration like this? Please

[@Anthony-rk5sd]

Yeah ! Thank You Nick ! I made my first logo with the golden ratio !

[@albertgalvez2556]

Awesome as always and thanks Nick.

[@665-9]

Great video and explanation. Thanks a lot, Nick!

[@snehav11]

Thanks Nick! Loved this one and the golden ratio explanation/ creation. Your style is so easy and awesome to learn. Your tutorials are amazing! I was searching for something that looks really good to try on inkscape and learn to use it. I tried the alphabet d logo, then the geometric pattern and now this! Thanks again

[@taherhaddad8250]

Thank you To apply the Golden Ratio quickly follow the steps: 1 Draw & select the Object 2 Go to Menu bar > Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform 3 Scale 161.8% horizontal and vertical 4 Type the number of copies you need

[@adeolaojo4603]

Thanks for this suggestion ..I tried this and found that the increasing sizes of the circles are not same as Nicks...Why is that?

[@jdseries]

Quality tutorials and very useful, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, I promise to buy your e-book, you really read all the comments thanks for that

[@LogosByNick]

I appreciate it!

[@ntntnok9050]

what a nice golden ratio logo and nice choice with the gradients

[@lesleybinks3780]

Nick, thank you so much for this tutorial. You're very clear and precise. I just want to say, when unionising some of the paths, I got stroke artefacts left in some of the groups. This may be an issue relative to my machine, but I want to say, if anyone else gets this, don't worry, keep going. In one version the strokes are removed and, in the other, they're used. So the artefacts disappear or are changed.

[@freeelectron8261]

Usual high quality graphics design tuts from Nick. Keep em coming!

[@amannair6509]

u realise this is a 2 year old video

[@freeelectron8261]

Correct but the golden ratio and subtle innovative ideas are immortal.

[@attanoxt8030]

Great tutorial.. been looking for alternative to shape builder tool in AI. And this is exactly that! Thank you!

[@LogosByNick]

I love working with the shape builder tool in AI. I hope Inkscape introduces something similar in the future.

[@ipunkt4704]

This was awesome! I made the same thing :) Thanks for your tutorials, I think of buying your book too very soon

[@calebskinner9348]

Thanks for this Nick!

[@SwarnimArun]

Well you do make AWESOME videos but this was the BEST.

[@prabharamanujan7933]

To me this was mind blowingly awesome! Thank you!

[@tu0703]

Great tutorial! Thanks so much for your works.

[@ahmadzano]

very nice and easy tutorial. thanks Nick!

[@TheChazk]

Thanks Nick, great tutorial.

[@vjezbablog3927]

Beautiful design and explanation

[@victorsandoval7]

brilliant! easily explained and very cool designs :)

[@blood.mirror]

That was rad! Thanks! 🙂

[@amcds2867]

Very helpful, and nice visual to go with it!

[@larissamonroe21092]

Nick.... jsut wanted to thank you(which i forgot to say on the other videos), for putting back the intro music makes me happy :) But again awesome video!

[@LogosByNick]

Larissa Monroe Back by popular demand

[@larissamonroe21092]

And me complaining like a witch ;)

[@faizbyp]

Wow! Im amazed! Very very useful! I hope i knew this method earlier

[@michaelkralxd]

amazing! One of the best video with tutorial !!!

[@midnitedev5686]

Really amazing tutorial. Keep it up!

[@tedchen524]

It more harder than I expected...but it is worth it. Thanks for your tutorial

[@ARGamaingMusicVlog]

Thanks for the tutorial. I have installed the latest Inkscape and GIMP and enjoyed the tutorial and made the same logo. I have developed self confidence in logo designing. I find Inkscape and GIMP. more exciting with new features than photoshop. However, there is more to discover in these softwares.

[@ahmeddeiaa3943]

quite amazing, keep it up Nick

[@axeldaval3410]

Thank you! I was struggling so hard with vectors in inkscape, I didn't get that to color the other node you had to select it on the drawing, not in the menu.

[@funspace12]

Amazing! Thank you so much for this!

[@surinfarmwest6645]

Nick, thank you, like this design a lot. West

[@elmo8696]

Beautiful and elegant.

[@zakiyahnadya5494]

Finally, i've found the shape builder alternative 🙌🏻😭

[@ifecojahs8151]

You are so special, Nick.

[@GregoryGustavo]

Muito bom, tem vários de illustrator estava procurando para inkscape. Parece que você leu minha mente.

[@MrPresidentSmith]

Great tutorial. Thanks!

[@jmm1233]

Reminds the days of art & design in college where they drilled into heads to be using golden ratio for any and all illustrator work

[@nevanks]

I was just trying to find the name of this the other day. Thanks!

[@NHGeneral]

this lesson is priceless!

[@luisdanielmx]

Amazing Work man... i'll try it next time. Tks for the video it's really usefull. :D cheers from Morelia.

[@vitorjunior2023]

Nicely Done! Thanks!

[@Sargentii89]

This video really teaches me a lot, big thumbs up. you have more than earned a subscription from me.

[@hpottstock]

Brilliant tutorial, as usual! Thanks. One thing I didn't get was all the ctrl+C activity with the squares at the beginning...

[@SaidurRahmanAsik39]

Amazing work...

[@merula1583]

Love your turtorial. I want to create a blickbird, therefore I will have to alter the beak

[@briankendalll2093]

Great video. I learned about the golden ratio but never applied it to my work. Just started using Inkscape today as a move from Adobe Illustrator. It's funny that I expected lots of the tools and controls to be hidden. Hard to believe Inkscape is offered for free.

[@kairu_b]

I'm glad that there's a shapebuilder now 😁

[@Ololoshize]

Very beautiful!

[@stayforourstory7618]

You are so AWESOME, thank you!!!!

[@TiffanyNg100]

Woa This a great tip you share thank you for doing so!

[@wafey3364]

This video is awesome!

[@chandrasankar3289]

excellent tutor...understand very well..keep doing

[@BruwerVroon]

I have been helped so much by your tutorials. They are excellent and help beginners like me get a handle on Inkscape. Do you ever make your completed files available online for download? Or even just your 'Golden Ratio' grid?

[@thiagofarias6231]

Very good!!

[@ramman411970]

Thank you loved it.

[@jose_roberto_andrade_junior]

Hi NIck, congrats to you for this amazin KZbin Channel. I would like to suggest an adaptation: instead of starting with two squares, start with a golden ratio rectangle: one side of 100px, and the other 100px * 1.618 (161.80px). Then proceed with squares where you will always paste the height of the previous resulting rectangle. With this the golden ratio will always be maintained.

[@-B-B]

Thank you for mentioning this. I too really like Nick's channel, but he did make a mistake here. His ratio is 2, not the golden ratio 1.618.

[@Tordek]

​@@-B-B Not quite (but it is wronf). His first ratio is 2:1; the second is 3:2, then 5:3, 8:5 and so on (fibonacci numbers). It approaches the golden ratio eventually. An even simpler way to achieve what he wants, however: Draw a circle with any size, then duplicate and resize it by typing (current size)*1.618 every time.

[@marxman1010]

@@Tordek No wonder. I was confused with the video, how that could be golden ratio for god's sake.

[@mrebholz]

@@Tordek Okay, so the proportions are not quite right, but the principle still applies?!

[@Tordek]

@@mrebholz Depends on what you're going for. The first few steps are far from the golden ratio (1:1, 2:1, 3:2, 3:5). They're Fibonacci numbers. After a few steps it's good enough, but if you compare squares 5 and 6 to 10 and 11, they'd be a bit off. If you want _the_ golden ratio just memorize 1.618 just like pi is 3.14, it's good enough. In the end it's just a tool; if you keep everything to a same ratio like 1.5 you'll have a grid that's just as scientific as making it with Fibonacci or a magical "perfect number".

[@keirstenburnett8719]

Great Tutorial

[@barnavah]

I really like this tutorial and I'm going to study to learn to design with this technique that I did not know

[@jeremytitus6575]

I think that was really good.

[@GogiRegion]

The one with the circles would be great for either a graphic design logo or one for some kind of mathematical/scientific one because of the resemblance to DaVinci’s or really any Renaissance polymath’s art.

[@blwbisht]

YEAH Made it this one because of your video sir appreciative it

[@ronnierupert632]

hey there! thanks so much for your video! helped a ton! however when i followed along and got to the finish i noticed there was still the white gap between my shapes once i deleted the stroke. how do i avoid this problem?

[@tankmohit]

Only one word. Awesome

[@2Cresh]

your so awesome and helpful!!

[@ryancrisbesa3964]

great tutorial..thanks for sharing

[@fijaya]

THANK YOU MASTER!

[@arteybiodiversidad]

Hello Nick. It's very nice to see your tutorials. I follow this one step by step but didn´t have the same results. Some of the circles disappear when I made the clicked on the division bottom, as the eye of the bird and the lower part of the body, as well as the peak, was fusioned with another little down peace.

[@existentialrap521]

There was one step where he didnt use snapping which may have changed the beak. It did for me.

[@lay_l]

thank yooou it is sooo amazing