ANCHORING

We need to be aware of what psychologists call anchoring.  Anchoring is what might be called a suggestion. Or a first thought. And this first thought significantly shapes the outcome of our creative solutions.

So for example, consider two similar questions:
1.  What is the height of that tree?
2.  If the average height of that tree species is 60’, what is the height of that tree?

As you surmise, the introduction of the 60’ value will significantly impact answers to the tree height question. Most of us will use 60’ to anchor our answer. Thus, when answering question 2, most of us will will cluster our answers close to 60’. Whereas in question 1, there will be less clustering.

The concept of anchoring is hugely important in our design process. An anchor might be the term gable roof, which I have spoken about before and is serving as one of our memes. If a client or historical board uses the term gable roof to you, then gable roof becomes your anchor. And when we fail to make sufficient and appropriate adjustment from that anchor, then the anchor significantly governs your solution. Low and behold, your solution has a gable roof, whether you end up liking it or not.

Another component of anchoring is what are called random anchors. I have written before about our propensity as architects to thumb frantically thru architectural magazines when starting a design solution. When you find something that you like, this more or less random selection becomes your anchor. And then you will find it difficult to shift very far from that anchor as you labor to solve your problem.

How do you combat anchors? Part of the difficulty to over come them is a lack of information. If you do not have very many associations, or if your associations are shallow, you will very likely not shift from the anchor. When faced with this lack of information, we take the easy way out. Part of the mission of Transparent Drawing is to increase the quantity and quality of the associations that you can bring to a design problem, all of which gives more buoyancy to an anchor.

If we are all truly in search of fresh and creative forms, then it is beneficial to be aware of anchoring. Psychologists have documented it’s effects multiple times. So the process is real and in play within your mind. We need to be very careful what we accept as an anchor.  We need to be wary of the acceptance of any anchor.   And we need to be aware when we are not shifting appropriately from that anchor.