Why the Pyramids of Giza are a timeless inspiration for designers

This is my love letter to the Pyramids.

The Pyramids of Giza have fascinated me since childhood. Seeing them in person earlier this year was a dream come true. Standing atop a hill with their silhouette in the distance, I realised how these ancient wonders embody timeless design principles that can inspire even digital designers today.

These enduring structures, standing tall for millennia, offer valuable lessons that we can apply to create impactful digital experiences. Let’s explore how.

Geometric precision and simplicity

The pyramids’ perfect geometric form reminds us of the power of simplicity in design. As Leonardo Da Vinci said:

“Simplicity is the ultimate form of sophistication”.

This quote captures a universal truth: the most elegant solutions are often the simplest. Simplicity strips away the unnecessary, leaving only what is essential, functional, and beautiful. The pyramids exemplify this principle with their clean lines and harmonious proportions, creating a structure that is both visually stunning and enduring.

This idea of harmony naturally leads to the Golden Ratio, a mathematical principle found not only in the pyramids but also in nature, art, and design. The Golden Ratio represents perfect balance—a proportion that feels inherently pleasing to the human eye. It’s this balance that makes creations intuitive and timeless, guiding perception effortlessly.

The Golden Ratio: great design is in nature

At the heart of the pyramids’ design lies the Golden Ratio, a principle of harmonious proportions. In simple terms, it’s about creating balance that feels naturally pleasing to the eye. This ratio is found everywhere—from the pyramids to modern design—and helps create visual appeal.

The golden ratio inspires:

• Clean, uncluttered structures and layouts
• Use of basic shapes as foundational elements
• Visual harmony in various creations

This approach to design, rooted in natural principles, can be applied across many fields, from architecture to digital interfaces, creating aesthetically pleasing and functional results.

Golden ratio in a sea shell

Applying the principles of the Golden Ratio is something that often happens unconsciously because this ratio is deeply embedded in everyday life. It can be found in nature and in countless objects and structures around us, shaping what we perceive as balanced and harmonious.

Here are three practical examples of how the Golden Ratio can be applied in design to create balance and visual appeal:

1. Layout and section sizes:
   When dividing a layout, the 1:1.618 ratio—*1.618 being the approximate value of the Golden Ratio*—can be used to achieve balance. For instance, in a 1000px wide content area, the main section could be 618px, while the sidebar could take up 382px. This creates a natural harmony between primary and secondary elements.
2. Typography and font scaling:
   The Golden Ratio can also guide font hierarchy. For example, if body text is set at 16px, headings can be scaled to approximately 26px (16 × 1.618). This proportional relationship creates a pleasing contrast between text sizes, making content easier to read and visually appealing.
3. Spacing and margins:
   Consistent spacing can also benefit from the Golden Ratio. For instance, starting with a base margin of 20px, the next level of spacing could be set to 32px (20 × 1.618). This approach ensures that white space feels intentional and balanced throughout a design.

By applying these principles, it’s possible to create layouts that feel naturally harmonious and visually satisfying—whether in physical spaces, digital interfaces, or other creative works. The Golden Ratio serves as a timeless guide for achieving balance and beauty in design.

Improved readability and hierarchy

Simplicity in design, combined with well-proportioned elements, enhances readability and establishes a clear visual hierarchy. This allows people to easily distinguish between different levels of information, making content more scannable and accessible.

Typography is an excellent example of how to incorporate the Golden Ratio in design. Let’s explore this in practice:

Applying the Golden Ratio to typography creates a pleasing contrast between header and body text, guiding attention effectively. For instance, if the body text is set at 16px, the header size could be calculated using the Golden Ratio (φ ≈ 1.618) as follows:

16px × 1.618 = 25.888px (rounded to 26px for the header)

This proportion creates a natural and visually appealing hierarchy between text elements. The larger header stands out while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the body text.

Use tools like Typescale to easily calculate font sizes for your headlines and body text based on the Golden Ratio.

Additionally, the Golden Ratio can be used to determine optimal line height for improved readability. For a 16px font size, the line height could be:

16px × 1.618 = 25.888px (rounded to 26px for line height)

This approach ensures that the spacing between lines of text feels balanced and easy on the eyes.

By using the Golden Ratio in typography, designers can create layouts that feel naturally balanced and visually appealing, enhancing the overall user experience of digital products.

Durability and timelessness

The pyramids have stood for centuries, a testament to the importance of durability and timelessness in design. This principle challenges us to create digital experiences that remain relevant over time.

In the fast-paced digital world, striving for timelessness offers immense value. It saves clients from frequent redesigns, builds user trust through consistency, and focuses on core functionalities rather than fleeting trends. Timeless designs become part of a brand’s identity, symbolising reliability and quality.

By aiming for timelessness, we’re not just designing for today; we’re building digital legacies that adapt and evolve while maintaining their essence. Like the pyramids, these designs become enduring symbols of quality and thoughtfulness.

Building for the future, not just for today

Timeless design isn’t about resisting change; it’s about creating something so well-conceived that it evolves gracefully with time. While aesthetics may shift, core functionality and user experience remain central to enduring designs.

Designers can consider these principles for timeless digital design:

1. Focus on core functionality that remains relevant over time
2. Prioritise user needs over fleeting trends
3. Create iconic elements that stand the test of time

The wheel principle: a good example of a design principle surviving the test of time

The ‘wheel principle’ seen in physical devices is a perfect example of core functionality remaining central throughout ages.

From left to right: a traditional phone from the XXth century, Braun T3 pocket radio (released in 1958), the original iPod (released in 2001) and the Apple TV 4K remote (released 2021).

Even as technology evolves, certain interaction patterns remain consistent, guided by these timeless principles:

1. User-centricity and simplicity:
   Design with the user’s needs in mind, focusing on clarity and expected actions.
2. Consistency and visual hierarchy:
   Maintain uniform design elements and guide users’ attention effectively.
3. Usability and accessibility:
   Ensure the interface is efficient and enjoyable for users of all abilities.

Just as the circular control has endured through technological evolution, the pyramids themselves embody timeless design principles. Their enduring structure and precise geometry embody what make a user experience survive the test of time and the constant evolution of technologies.

Attention to detail and the testimony of excellence

The precise construction of the pyramids, with joints only 0.5 mm wide on average, is a testament to the ancient meticulous attention to detail. This level of precision not only ensured the structural integrity of the pyramids but also contributed to their enduring beauty and mystique.

In digital design, this principle of attention to detail translates into creating pixel-perfect layouts, ensuring consistent typography and seamless interactions. While each detail might seem minor, their cumulative effect is massively impactful towards the user. Just as the precise stone placement created the pyramids’ unparalleled stability and beauty, attention to detail in digital design creates interfaces that feels solid and reliable.

Precision in digital design

In the realm of digital design, this principle of meticulous attention translates into several key practices:

1. Pixel-perfect alignment:
   – Ensure all elements are perfectly aligned, creating a sense of order and professionalism. Creating a professional product means having professional standards.
   – Use grids and guides to maintain consistent spacing and alignment across your design. It’s the best way to stay within a defined blueprint for the structure.
2. Consistent typography:
   – Maintain a consistent type scale and hierarchy throughout your interface. Nothing hurts design more than inconsistent typography and displaying too many sizes on the same portion of screen.
3. Color harmony:
   – Create a cohesive colour palette and use it consistently across your design. Don’t use the whole rainbow in your design: stick to pre defined tones that match the brand direction set up
   – Consider colour contrast for accessibility and visual appeal. It’s important to keep in mind that not everyone is seeing the design on the latest smartphone or most expansive screen. Ensure that the contrast is sufficient across different type of devices.
4. Microinteractions:
   – Design subtle animations and transitions that enhance the user experience. Life isn’t static: it’s always moving and dynamic, so needs to be a website.
   – Ensure these small interactions are smooth and purposeful. The opposite would completely ruin the effect you’re trying to make and frustrate the user.

The cumulative effect

The cumulative effect in design refers to the way small, individual design decisions or elements combine to create a significant overall impact. In digital design, this could mean how consistent typography, harmonious spacing/padding, and pixel-perfect alignment work together to create an interface that feels polished and professional. Each detail on its own might seem minor, but when combined, they shape the user’s perception of quality and trustworthiness.

Much like in architecture, where precise stone placement ensures stability and beauty, in digital design, attention to these small details builds a cohesive and delightful user experience.

Priority Marbella website landing page – a good example of a simple design with consistent font sizes and whitespaces can bring high value aesthetic and have a premium look and feel.

This concept also applies to how users interact with a product over time.

Consistency across interactions—whether it’s through predictable navigation patterns, uniform button styles, or responsive layouts—creates a sense of familiarity and reliability. When users repeatedly encounter well-thought-out designs that “just work,” they build trust in the product or brand. Conversely, if small errors or inconsistencies accumulate (like misaligned elements or unexpected behaviour), they can lead to frustration and erode the user’s confidence in the product.

Ultimately, the cumulative effect highlights the importance of intentionality in every aspect of design. By focusing on the small details and ensuring consistency across all elements, designers can create experiences that feel seamless and intuitive. It’s not just about making individual components look good—it’s about how they all come together to form a cohesive whole that resonates with users and leaves a lasting impression.

Quality insurance in design

Implementing a rigorous quality assurance process in a design workflow can help maintain this high level of detail:

• Use of design systems and style guides to ensure consistency.
• Conduct regular design reviews with team members.
• Test your designs on various devices and screen sizes.
• Seek feedback from users to identify areas for improvement.

Frontnode dashboard was built with a minimalist design system to ensure cohesive look across different screens.

The Pyramid principle in design

Just as the pyramids were built from the ground up with precision at every level, we can apply a “pyramid principle” to our design process:

1. Start with a solid foundation (core functionality and user needs).
2. Build up with carefully considered design elements.
3. Refine and perfect the details at every level.

By paying close attention to every aspect of a design, from the broadest concepts to the finest details, designers creates digital experiences that, like the pyramids, stand out for their quality, durability, and timeless appeal.

The recent update of Kyros website doesn’t reinvent the wheel design-wise, but instead uses a design direction that looked good 10 years ago and will still look good 10 years later. Because of its minimalist and “neutral” type of aesthetic, the design will resist the test of time.

Remember, in design as in architecture, it’s often the details that separate good from great. By cultivating this level of care and precision in our work, designers honour the legacy of master builders throughout history and create digital experiences that truly stand the test of time.

Learning from ancient wonders

The Pyramids of Giza remind us that great design—whether physical or digital—stands the test of time by prioritising simplicity, balance, and purpose. For designers, they can draw inspiration from these ancient wonders to create experiences that are not only functional but also enduringly beautiful.

By embracing these timeless principles in our work, designers can strive to create digital products that, like the pyramids, will continue to inspire and amaze for generations to come.

Personal note as an extra conclusion

I wanted to express my deep fascination for the Pyramids of Giza and pay respect to the builders of these wonders. In no way I try to compare the vacuity of my work to the magnificence of their accomplishment.

I personally think that the Pyramids of Giza are the most beautiful thing that has been built on our planet and by writing this article, I also wanted to draw some connection to the creative work I do for a living. I believe their presence on earth is a daily reminder what organisation, collaboration, and shared purpose can achieve.

Seeing these structures in person has been the most humbling experience in my life and I wish everyone could feel the same I felt when I sat next by them, admiring their greatness.

Cheers,

François.