first off, I’ll tell you who I’m not…

I’m not one of those super-smart students who dreamt of becoming an Architect from day one. In reality, I struggled through high school and went to college to study Interior Spatial Design. I worked my butt off to get into, and graduate from, Architecture School - in fact, I was awarded a scholarship for ‘Academic Excellence’ and finished my Post Graduate studies in Japan, studying under influential Architects such as Shinichi Ogawa. 

Returning to the UK, I accepted a job in an architecture firm and completed my chartered exams, becoming a member of the (ARB) Architects Registration Board. 

I learned a heck of a lot along the way and I’m here to share it with you because I know you can do it too.

Qualifications

Teaching Fellow, Higher Education Academy (FHEA) 2015

Academic Member, Society of British + International Design (SBID) 2014

Architects Registration Board (ARB) 2009

RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) - Chartered Member

PG Dip Architecture 2007 - (Japan 2008)

BA (Hons) Architecture 2004

Advanced Diploma, Interior Spatial Design 2002

2009 | But my story began when the 2008 recession hit

I was 29, freshly registered as a British chartered Architect when life sent me on a challenging yet rewarding journey from Architecture into Academia, and from the UK to India, where I helped set up and run a new campus for a Singaporean design school.

Working as Academic Director and Head of Department, I taught Interior & Architectural Design. The culturally diverse environment of India opened my mind and introduced me to the idea of entrepreneurship. I wanted somewhere of my own to share my passion for design and education, so I started a blog (Layoutlines). 

2012 | Returning to the UK

I made the difficult decision to move back to the UK but stayed in Academia, taking up the position of Head of 1st year Interior Architecture at a leading Arts University. 

I worked with students introducing them to the basic principles of design, drawing, and communication. Working with an average of 40 students a year, I led these young designers through the design process for Residential, Commercial, Sustainable, and Cultural Studio Projects.

Teaching is a true passion of mine, helping spark creativity and inspiration in young designers is incredibly rewarding. I had the opportunity to work with the International Recruitment team in India, Thailand, and Nepal, and later with the British Council as an Academic Representative promoting Higher Education in India. 

2014 | At the height of my academic career, I hit burnout

I was exhausted. My weekends were spent marking, with endless admin, and jet-lagged - I knew something needed to change. I flew home to Edinburgh to join a friend’s hen weekend and on that fateful night, I met a Viking named Ingimar.

“Sonia’s optimism and enthusiasm inspire others to reach their full potential. She has helped and guided me on a wide range of Interior Design and Architecture projects, and enriched my work through her innovative design thinking and creativity.”

Katie, Design Director @ktmdesignltd

2015 | Followed My heart

Millions of messages and many Facetime calls later, I chose to trust in fate, leap, and follow my heart. I moved to Iceland. 

I left my full-time position as a Senior Lecturer. I’d experienced some incredible achievements in my career so far, now was the time to build my own business.

2016 | Building My Empire

I picked up my camera and started documenting my new life in Iceland. I taught myself how to edit and started uploading vlogs to YouTube.

Exploring my new city, I carried a small sketchbook and started to sketch the buildings around me. I quickly filled pages with corrugated iron-clad, Scandinavia-style houses. I shared them on Instagram with the hashtag #ReykjavikSketcher and people started asking if I was selling them. I began offering commissions and designed a range of prints inspired by life in Iceland. 

This website grew in content and focus. I aimed to share my knowledge, education, and experience so I could help students and creative entrepreneurs successfully design and build their own careers and side hustles…whilst living a life they love.

“Sonia is a great teacher who has given me the opportunity to develop not just as a Designer but as a person. Her teaching skills were perfect for my transition from Art Foundation to BA. She is truly inspirational.”

Trisha Ghosh, Student

2017 | Online education, my Courses

So I did what I knew, I wrote the curriculum for a course. My course. An online course for students anywhere to access in their own time. I built a course to help students make a Portfolio for application to Art College or University. I created the Resources Library to help support these students and creative entrepreneurs.

Ingimar and I got married, surrounded by family and friends from all over the world

2018 | Motherhood

I became a Mother, Mia Elisabet (2018)

2021 | The Self-Employed Mum Life Juggle

Being a full-time entrepreneur is hard work but it’s so worth it. Building your empire, juggling clients, creating content and passive streams, shipping orders - it’s what has allowed me to spend more time doing what I love, with those I love, and ultimately be there to enjoy motherhood to the fullest.

Our family is complete, Angus Óðinn (2021)

2022 | Finding my new normal

It’s been a wild couple of years for us all but I continue to build my empire and leave my legacy in the best way I can.

“Throughout my University Degree, Sonia always supported my style of working and ideas, no matter how crazy they were. She always knew the right things to say to motivate and inspire you.”

Will De Liefde-Foote, Designer, Craftwood Interiors

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work with Sonia

Sonia is always open to new opportunities. Her zone of genius is of course firmly rooted in her love of drawing, architecture, and design education. As a result, Sonia aims to share her experiences and expertise in architecture, design education, marketing, personal branding, being an entrepreneur, and life in Iceland. She welcomes the following:

• Podcast interview

• Publication

• Keynote speaker

• Guest lecture, visiting tutor

• Eternal examiner

• Influencer, affiliate marketing