Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.
Learn how to draw a floor plan by hand step by step. A beginner-friendly guide for architecture and interior design students to create clear, professional layouts for studio and portfolio work.
Read MoreMany architecture students believe they’re bad at drawing, when in reality they were never properly taught. This post shares a clear framework for improving architectural drawing skills by focusing on foundations, perspective, and intentional practice.
Read MoreStruggling with perfectionism in your sketching practice? Learn how to let go of the pressure to make every drawing perfect so you can enjoy the process, grow your skills, and fall in love with drawing again. Especially helpful for beginner urban sketchers and creatives.
Read MoreThese drawing warm-up exercises are designed for architecture students, urban sketchers and interior designers. Loosen your hand, improve line confidence, and prepare for stronger sketches in just 5–10 minutes.
Read MoreArchitectural sketching is about learning to see, not drawing perfectly. This beginner’s guide covers tools, techniques, and simple steps to start sketching buildings by hand.
Read MoreArchitectural lettering is the professional handwriting style used on drawings, plans, and portfolios. In this guide, you’ll learn the simple rules architects use for clean, consistent lettering - plus download free practice worksheets (PDF) to improve fast.
Read MoreSonia Nicolson is a British Chartered Architect (ARB) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), with 15+ years of international experience in Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, and design education. As a Senior Lecturer, she has taught and mentored over 8,000 students worldwide and now helps aspiring architecture and interior design students develop confidence in hand drawing, visual communication, and portfolio preparation.
Through her courses, ebooks, and mentoring, Sonia specialises in making complex design skills clear, practical, and accessible - especially for students preparing for college, university, applications, or a career in the built environment.
Start your journey on the Start Here page.
New to my blog? Begin with these reader favourites on studying architecture, portfolios, and learning to draw.
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Architect & former University Lecturer turned Entrepreneur. I help female Entrepreneurs successfully Design & Build their Creative Businesses in Interior Design, Architecture & Urban Sketching.
Architect & Creative Educator helping you design and build your career and creative business in Interior Design, Architecture and Urban Sketching.
ARB - British Chartered Architect
FHEA - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Senior Lecturer, Arts University Bournemouth (UK)
Academic Representative, British Council (Design Education)
Academic Director, Raffles Design Institute (India)
Teaching architecture through hand drawing, sketching, and architectural thinking, and creating original artwork and commissions from the same practice.
Join me behind the scenes - sketching Reykjavik, studio life, and creative tutorials. Follow on Instagram @SoniaNicolson
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