Pleasing number combinations?

[freshwave]

Hello there!

I am studying landscape architecture and frequently deal with graphic design as it is our main mode of communication. Currently i am working on a project and was wondering if there is any graphic design theory that deals with number combinations...are certain combos more aesthetically pleasing than others?

Thanks for any advice you can give me :)

Cheers

[morea]

are you talking about the golden ratio?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_ratio

[morea]

where are my manners. Welcome to GDF!

[frankster]

A few years back I read a book called Nature's numbers and enjoyed it. Thought it might be of interest to you. Probably not quite what you're looking for, but interesting non the less.

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Numbers-Mathematics-Science-Masters/dp/0465072747

[freshwave]

Hey thanks for those speedy replies :)

I am actually looking for 4 digit number combination that will represent my project. I want the number to be both aesthetically and phonologically pleasing. The significance of individual numbers is moot...it is the combo that matters. Plus I don't want the combo to have existing conotation ex: 1040 (taxes) 1090 (mullets) 1932 (a date)....etc.

There must be theories on this kind of thing out there....
I'll look up the numbers in the landscape (thanks for the tip)

Cheers

[Mynock]

Use something that has the numbers that drop down or up. Those look can set yourself out. I can't think of the name. Someone? Anyone?

[MD]

1337.

[frankster]

I'm totally confused by what you're asking about now.

69? :D

[MPI]

Especially the number 15.

15 things, grouped into 3 sets of 3, 5, 7 represents an odd number of groups of odd numbers with an odd total.


It's Zen I tell ya.

[freshwave]

oh...haha well sorry about the confusion...although it would be comical, i don't think using 6969 would be a very wise decision for me considering my audience...

let me explain what this is for... I have a design project in which I will submit the design (6 11"x17" boards) and am not allowed to put my name on it or any other identifying character besides a 4 digit number...the number will show up 6 times (once on each board) therefore I want to pick it carefully...maybe I'm being way too deep about this but I think it matters....

I know numbers like 8 and 0 work well together because of the spaces in them...and you're right 6 and 9 go together because they do literally fit into each other...

so thats where I'm at...

[MD]

I want to pick it carefully...maybe I'm being way too deep about this but I think it matters....
no it doesn't ;)

just type a bunch of random numbers break them up into 4 digits and pick one that is ascetically pleasing to you.

65419873213219876216687651359843745295237429176501 975420175297285795612975259768527

6541
9873
2132
1987
6216
6876
5135
9843
7452
9523
7429
1765
0197
5420
1752
9728
5795
6129
7525
9768
5270

[frankster]

no it doesn't ;)

I agree, and If I was doing it then I'd just pick my favourite fundamental physical constant from a list and round it to four figures...

http://physics.nist.gov/cuu/Constants/Table/allascii.txt

[Riya]

Pick the same number as someone else just to create chaos and confusion. :rolleyes:

[Silence04]

do you have to use numbers or could you use groupings of dots...

[freshwave]

hmm...I do have to use numbers...

MD frankster, I agree maybe I'll just make some combos and pick which is best...I like the idea of using the golden mean though...1 :1.6 maybe 1 2 16 1216.
don't know if I like th sound of that one...ah any number will do really!! haha
I'll stop with the neurosis! hehe

Thanks everyone for the tips
Cheers

[morea]

well, we're ALL a little neurotic here... ;)

[balou]

How about using the numbers to spell something like L33T? Or maybe rotate the numbers. Move the numbers around to form a shape. Use them as a graphic element rather than just numbers.

[tZ]

fibonacci sequence

Rule of thirds

golden rectangle

root rectangles

[budafist]

Prime numbers?

[Riya]

pi

[MAK online]

Try mirrored pairs.

1001
2662
3113
6556
0770
ect.....

you get the point.

[cornfed]

I had a similar project once. I chose a number that was special to me. 1413 was the first address my boyfriend (now husband) and I ever shared. That's what went on my painting! Perhaps pick something meaningful.

[Mynock]

8008
80085

[Virgo Nightingale]

^^Mynock, you're so bad!:D

[Mynock]

55378008

[Mynock]

5663
5993

[Virgo Nightingale]

318830

[CamarotaDesign]

8 is a nice number- infinity. Also, 7 is a very important number to music. (7 steps in an octave) Some new age inspirational speaker was talking about 18 being a very nice number because it is 1 to Inifinity. I've always like the way 18 looks too.... perhaps because thats when we are considered legal adults here.

[patkennedy78]

55378008

07734

[CamarotaDesign]

allright thats it, wtf are you guys doing?

[frankster]

hint: upside down on an old casio calculator when you were in school?

[fingerPrint.Design]

it was only a matter of time,

8675309?

[Pica]

8008

[budafist]

800813 island :)

[CamarotaDesign]

fibonacci sequence

Rule of thirds

golden rectangle

root rectangles

tZ, have you checked out "Geometry of Design" talks about all of this stuff. It's mostly a survey of geometry in design, doesn't give you a lot of lessons or anything, but still fascinating information and observations.

[urstwile]

Use something that has the numbers that drop down or up. Those look can set yourself out. I can't think of the name. Someone? Anyone?
Oldstyle figures

[budafist]

I thought he meant:

http://www.wildco.com/pctr/182B40.jpg

Will cost you $9.95 at the Wildlife Supply Company. W've got one at home from a Lynx promotion. Did you guys get that ad in the US? You must have. It was an advertisement with Ben Affleck in it. They count the amount of girls that give them the look with this hand held thing.

[Kinkaid]

Numbers are numbers- use your birthday

[freshwave]

this is hiarious...I am rethinking my picked number now...mynock you are right on:p

[capezio]

Use numerology

ie your date of birth brought down to a single figure (lifepath)
eg 21 1 1954 = 3 +1+19 = 23 = 5

expression number all the letter of the name as at birth converted into numbers.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
a b c d e f g h i
j k l m n o p q r
s t u v w x y z added up and brought down to single figure.
eg peter jones
7+5+2+5+9=28=10=1
1+6+5+5+1=18=9
9+1=10 = 1 expression number is 1

personality number = all the consonants in the name.

soul urge or hearts desire= all the consonants in the name.

My 4 numbers are
5 1 6 4
If you go further into numerology all these number mean something.

[cleaver]

Interesting question. I would use...

8663

The 8 and the 3 are similar but different. The right side of the 3 and the left side of the 8 are like bookends if you draw a line verticaly down the middle and only consider the similar sides.

The 66 in the middle because they are roundish in shape which is asthetically simiar to the 8 and 3.

Also, even numbers give me a sense of calm where odd numbers give me an edgy feeling. Anyone know a good shrink? :D

[MAK online]

8008
80085

Now, that is some funny s##t.

You forgot 55378008.
That was the most popular one when I was 12.

Flip your monitor upside down to read it. ;)

[Botchup]

Mynock posted that 30mins afterwards ;)

In school, did anyone else have a girl ask you to borrow your calculator, and then you quickly did 58008618 adding it into memory, then typing 0.7734 (remember, the 4's are "h") onto the screen, then handing it to her and telling her to read the screen and hit the MR (memory recall) button?

No one? Oh, me neither...

Carry on.

[jennull]

Are you serious? Wow...I just don't even have enough hours in my day to worry about things like this....

Pick a number and roll...

[Mynock]

Now, that is some funny s##t.

You forgot 55378008.
That was the most popular one when I was 12.

Flip your monitor upside down to read it. ;)Ahh, no I didn't, check out post #25.