The Year I Studied Architecture in Japan
/Studying architecture in Japan changed how I see design, discipline, and drawing. Here’s how that experience shaped my creative journey.
Read MoreRead practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.
Studying architecture in Japan changed how I see design, discipline, and drawing. Here’s how that experience shaped my creative journey.
Read MoreThinking about studying architecture? Here’s everything I wish I’d known as a student - from subjects and skills to books, documentaries, and portfolio tips.
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 MoreThinking about studying architecture or about to start university? These seven architecture student tips will help you build your design skills, develop your portfolio, and approach studio with confidence.
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 MoreIt's almost a year since I left my role as Senior Lecturer back in the UK to move to Iceland. In that time I've achieved so many goals that were on my To-Do list but there was a 'Student Advice'. I wanted to form an output, a way of offering my answers to all those questions previously asked to me and pass on the same advice to other students. So I got typing and created my first email course.
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.
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.