How to Draw a Floor Plan by Hand
/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 MoreRead 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 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 MoreSonia Nicolson is a Chartered Architect and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with 15+ years of international experience in Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, and design education. She has taught and mentored over 8,000 students worldwide.
Today, Sonia helps future and current architecture, interior architecture and interior design students bridge the gap between school, university and the beginning of their creative careers - from preparing for architecture school and building strong portfolios to developing drawing and design skills, navigating studio projects and preparing for what comes next.
Through her free resources, courses, ebooks, portfolio reviews, tutorials and 1:1 mentoring, Sonia makes architecture and design education clear, practical and accessible - especially for students who feel like everyone else already knows what they're doing.
Start wherever you are in your journey on the Start Here page.
Thinking about studying architecture or design, preparing for your first year, building your portfolio or already navigating architecture school? Start with these popular guides.
Starting architecture school is exciting, overwhelming and probably unlike anything you’ve done before. As an architect and former university lecturer, here’s what I want every new architecture student to know before their first day - from studio culture and tutorials to drawing, time management, making friends and getting the most from your course.
A comprehensive guide for future architecture and design students. Learn how to choose the right course, prepare your portfolio, fund your studies, and thrive at university.
Preparing for an architecture or design university interview? This comprehensive portfolio preparation guide, written by a former university lecturer, shows you exactly what to include, how to present your work, and what interviewers are really looking for, so you can walk in feeling confident and prepared.
Architect & former University Lecturer turned Entrepreneur. I help female Entrepreneurs successfully Design & Build their Creative Businesses in Interior Design, Architecture & Urban Sketching.
Architect & former University Lecturer helping students start and succeed in architecture school.
Chartered Architect
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Senior Lecturer, Arts University Bournemouth (UK)
Academic Representative, British Council (Design Education)
Academic Director, Raffles Design Institute (India)
If you can follow a perspective tutorial while you're watching it, but struggle to recreate the drawing on your own, you're not alone.
Perspective can feel complicated when you've been shown what to draw without being taught why you're drawing it.
“...allowed it to finally click.”- Kayla, Architecture Student, USA
“Something I had struggled with felt much more manageable.” - Kshaf, BA (Hons) Architecture, UK
“The explanations are simple and easy to understand...the exercises helped me practise and understand perspective more clearly.” - Vinesh Mistry, India
This book breaks perspective down into a clear, visual, step-by-step system so you can understand the rules, practise them, and start constructing perspective drawings for yourself.
Perspective is a system you can learn.
Drawing is a skill, not a talent.
Not sure if your architecture portfolio is ready?
Whether you're applying to architecture school, preparing a postgraduate application or looking for your first architecture job, knowing what to include, what to improve and what to leave out can feel overwhelming.
I'm Sonia Nicolson, a Chartered Architect and former University Lecturer with over 15 years of experience teaching, mentoring and reviewing architecture students' work.
My Portfolio Confidence Review™ gives you honest, constructive and personalised feedback so you can see what's working, identify what needs improving and know exactly what to focus on next.
This isn't about changing your work into someone else's style. It's about helping you communicate your strongest work with confidence.
Portfolio Confidence Review™ — $195
Perfect if you'd like expert feedback on your portfolio before submitting it.
You'll receive:
A personalised recorded video review of your portfolio
Professional feedback on your project selection, drawings, layout and presentation
Clear, prioritised recommendations for improvement
Practical next steps you can work through at your own pace
Delivery within five working days of receiving your portfolio and supporting information
Portfolio Confidence Review™ + Follow-Up — $295
For students who'd also like the opportunity to discuss their feedback with me personally.
You'll receive everything included in the standard review, plus:
A private 30-minute Zoom follow-up
The opportunity to ask questions about your review
Personalised guidance on the changes you're considering
Help prioritising your improvements before submission
I recommend watching your recorded review and beginning to work through the feedback before our call, so we can use our time together effectively.
1. Book your review. Choose your package and complete your purchase.
2. Send your portfolio. I'll email you to request your portfolio as a single PDF, along with a few details about your application or goals.
3. Receive your feedback. Within five working days of receiving your materials, I'll send you a personalised recorded video review.
4. Strengthen your portfolio. Work through your recommendations. If you've purchased the follow-up package, we'll also arrange your private Zoom call.
Your portfolio doesn't need to be perfect before you send it. That's what the review is for.
Choose your package below and book your review.
Helping future and current architecture, interior architecture and interior design students bridge the gap between school, university and the beginning of their creative careers.
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Drawing tips, architecture school advice and lessons from my years as an architect & university lecturer.
Designed to help you build your skills, find your confidence and enjoy the creative process.
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How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students.