Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.
Volunteering in Ecuador with Architecture Sans Frontières changed the way I saw design. Through participatory workshops in Quito’s informal settlements, I learned that architecture isn’t just about buildings - it’s about people, community, and the power of collaboration.
Read MoreWhen the recession ended my job in architecture, I never imagined it would lead me to India. What began as a short-term teaching contract became one of the most transformative chapters of my life. In Bangalore, I helped build a design school from the ground up, discovered my love for education, and learned that my real work wasn’t just designing spaces - it was helping others design their own creative paths.
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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