Comment by neonnoodle

I agree with you. The harmonics/diagonals of the notional rectangle(s) of the piece are more important than any one particular ratio. Phi is no more special than any other self-similar relationship in terms of composition. The root rectangle series offers more than enough for a good layout even without phi.

And yes, for the people who get hung up on what the Old Masters did, it’s mostly armature grids and not the golden ratio!