Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.
Architectural 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 MoreA Comprehensive Guide to two point perspective for Interior Design and Architecture Students
Read MoreMastering One-Point Perspective: Essential Guide for Interior Design and Architecture Students
Read MoreA practical guide to architectural ink rendering, sharing tools, paper choices, and step-by-step tips for creating hand-rendered interior drawings with marker pens.
Read MoreI have been working with my rendering ink markers in preparation for teaching my students how to render their floor plans and perspectives with inks, watercolours, and pencils.
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 & former University Lecturer helping you get in, stand out and feel confident in architecture school.
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)
Helping you get in, stand out and feel confident in architecture school
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