About

I help aspiring and current architecture and interior design students develop the drawing skills, design thinking and confidence that architecture school often assumes you already have. But I wasn’t someone who grew up believing I was naturally talented at drawing, or even particularly academic. I struggled at school, questioned whether I belonged in architecture.

I failed a year of postgraduate study - and I learned, slowly, that the skills I thought other people were simply born with could actually be taught. I went on to become a Chartered Architect, university lecturer and architecture educator, teaching and mentoring thousands of students across the UK and internationally. My experience shapes everything I teach now because I don’t believe you need to be naturally talented to become good at drawing - you need someone to show you how.

What I Believe

• Drawing is a skill, not a talent

• Confidence comes from understanding what you’re doing and practising it

• You should be taught the fundamentals, not expected to somehow already know them

• Hand drawing is still one of the most powerful tools an architecture student can develop

• Your sketchbook doesn’t need to be beautiful to be valuable

• Drawing isn't just how you present an idea - it's how you find one

• Struggling with drawing doesn't mean you don't belong in architecture

You’re in the right place if:

• You’re thinking about studying architecture or interior design

• You’re starting architecture school and feel like everyone else already knows more than you

• Perspective drawing makes absolutely no sense yet

• You’re scared your drawings aren't “good enough”

• You want to improve your portfolio before applying to university/internship

• You want to understand the skills your tutors expect rather than constantly feeling behind

• You want someone to explain architectural drawing simply, clearly and without making you feel stupid

How I Found Architecture - And Nearly Gave Up

Determined to prove myself, I earned a place at university and later received a scholarship for Academic Excellence, completing my postgraduate studies in Japan under architect Shinichi Ogawa.

But my path wasn't straightforward. I failed my first postgraduate year.

At the time, it felt like proof that perhaps I wasn't good enough. Instead, I came back, kept going and eventually found myself studying architecture on the other side of the world.

After graduating, I returned to the UK, became a registered Architect with the ARB, and entered the profession just as the 2008 recession hit.

Building a Design School in India & Falling in Love With Teaching

I moved to India to help establish a new campus for a Singaporean design school. What began with a tiny cohort grew into a thriving programme, and I found myself doing far more than teaching - developing courses, recruiting students, speaking at events and helping build a design school from the ground up.

It was here that I really fell in love with education.

Returning to the UK, I became Head of First Year Interior Architecture & Design and Senior Lecturer, teaching and mentoring students through everything from drawing and design development to presentations and portfolios.

My academic work also took me internationally as an external examiner and British Council representative.

Burnout, Iceland & Starting Again

After years in academia, I was exhausted and ready for a change. Then life took an unexpected turn. I met my Icelandic partner, Ingimar, and eventually moved to Iceland.

Starting again in a new country gave me space to reconnect with drawing - not as something I had to teach or assess, but simply because I loved it.

How Drawing Brought Me Back To Teaching

I began sketching Reykjavík's buildings and sharing them online under the name Reykjavík Sketcher. What started as a creative outlet slowly grew into a community and eventually brought me back to something I hadn't realised I missed: teaching.

I started creating drawing resources and tutorials online and quickly saw the same thing I'd seen in university studios for years.

Students weren't struggling because they lacked talent.

They were struggling because nobody had properly taught them the fundamentals.

And that's what my work is about today.

Why This Matters To Me

After more than 15 years teaching architecture and interior design students, I've seen how quickly someone can decide they're “just not good at drawing.” I also know how much can change when someone takes the time to explain it differently.

I wasn't the student who found everything easy. I didn't take the obvious route. And I certainly wasn't born knowing how to draw. I learned.

That's why I believe so strongly that drawing is a skill, not a talent.

And if you're sitting there wondering whether you're good enough for architecture, I want you to know something:

You don't need to know it all before you start. You just need somewhere to start.

“Sonia’s story made me feel like I wasn’t too late to start again. She helped me reconnect with my creativity after years of burnout, and for the first time in ages, I feel confident in my design work again.” - 1:1 Coaching Client, Interior Designer

Key Credentials

• Chartered Architect

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

• Former Head of First Year Interior Architecture & Design

• Former Academic Director, International Design School

• British Council Academic Speaker

• 15+ Years Teaching & Mentoring

• 8,000+ Students Taught Worldwide