Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.
Preparing an architecture portfolio for university? After reviewing hundreds of student portfolios as a former lecturer, I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see every year, and what strong portfolios do differently, so you can apply with confidence and clarity.
Read MoreAs someone who began their career studying interior design and went on to work as an architect and university lecturer, I’ve seen the built environment from multiple angles. Whether interior design, interior architectural design, architecture, or architectural technology - all offer unique opportunities, but choosing the right path depends on your interests, skills, and long-term career goals.
Read MoreArchitecture school can feel relentless - long studio hours, constant deadlines, and the pressure to be creative all the time. This realistic guide shows how to study architecture effectively, manage your workload, build a strong portfolio, and avoid burnout, from a former architecture lecturer.
Read MoreDidn’t get the grades you hoped for? Clearing doesn’t mean the end of your architecture dreams. This post explains how to study architecture through UCAS Clearing in the UK, including direct entry options.
Read MoreBack when I was pregnant with Angus, and in preparation for maternity leave and life with two children, I took some time to plan how I wanted my business to work and grow as my family grew, and my focus understandably got challenged.
Read MoreSince moving to Iceland 4 years ago now, I have worked for myself. Working for myself is an easy phrase to type or say but the action of making it happen and being successful, as in profitable, is a different story.
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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