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Sonia Nicolson

Architect & former lecturer helping you build confidence in hand drawing, design and your creative career.

Blog | Tips, Stories & Resources for Design Students

Read practical tips, creative stories & resources for students, architects & designers - from career advice to hand drawing, sketching & studio life.

Sonia Nicolson
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Blog

Architecture & Design Drawing | Architecture Education & Career | Creative Practice & Business | Life & Creativity


 
October 30, 2015

The Creative Confidence Toolkit

October 30, 2015/ Sonia Nicolson
The Creative Confidence Toolkit

A practical and uplifting guide for students and creatives. Learn how to boost your creativity, manage overwhelm, and rebuild your confidence with simple daily rituals.

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October 30, 2015/ Sonia Nicolson/
Creative Business & Practice
creative-practice-business
October 02, 2015

Etsy and Craft Fairs: My Top 10 Tips For Success

October 02, 2015/ Sonia Nicolson
Etsy and Craft Fairs: My Top 10 Tips For Success

Back from Iceland, and what an amazing summer, I'm ready to get back into the studio and start working towards...Dare I say it, Christmas? This year, I'm stepping up my game, challenging my confidence, and getting my work out there at local craft fairs.

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October 02, 2015/ Sonia Nicolson/
Creative Business & Practice
creative-practice-business, creative-career
April 12, 2014

My Message to Architecture and Design Students and Graduates

April 12, 2014/ Sonia Nicolson
My Message to Architecture and Design Students and Graduates

Life as a design student is intense, exciting and transformative. In this personal message I share my journey through architecture school and 10 essential tips to help students and graduates navigate their next chapter with confidence.

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April 12, 2014/ Sonia Nicolson/
Architecture Education & Careers
study-architecture
February 16, 2014

5 Tips to Create Your Perfect Studio or Home Office for Creative Work

February 16, 2014/ Sonia Nicolson
5 Tips to Create Your Perfect Studio or Home Office for Creative Work

Welcome to my studio, a small but hardworking corner of our living room. In this post I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at my setup and five practical tips to help you create a calm, functional workspace for your own creative work at home.

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February 16, 2014/ Sonia Nicolson/
Creative Business & Practice
creative-practice-business
October 29, 2013

Architectural Ink Rendering, How to Draw Interiors by Hand Using Marker Pens

October 29, 2013/ Sonia Nicolson
Architectural Ink Rendering, How to Draw Interiors by Hand Using Marker Pens

A practical guide to architectural ink rendering, sharing tools, paper choices, and step-by-step tips for creating hand-rendered interior drawings with marker pens.

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October 29, 2013/ Sonia Nicolson/
Architecture & Interiors
architecture-drawing
August 23, 2013

Designing for Change in Ecuador: How Volunteering Shaped My Purpose as an Architect

August 23, 2013/ Sonia Nicolson
Designing for Change in Ecuador: How Volunteering Shaped My Purpose as an Architect

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.

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August 23, 2013/ Sonia Nicolson/
Life & Creativity
life-creativity
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About Sonia Nicolson

Sonia Nicolson is a British Chartered Architect (ARB) and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). As an Architect and Creative Educator based in Iceland, she helps students and designers build confidence in hand drawing, design, and portfolio skills.

Start your journey on the Start Here page.


Start Here

New to my blog? Begin with these reader favourites on studying architecture, portfolios, and learning to draw.

Blog | Tips, Stories & Resources for Design Students
So You Want to Be an Architect: The Ultimate Guide for High School Students
Mastering One-Point Perspective: Essential Guide for Interior Design and Architecture Students
The Complete Guide to Studying Architecture at University
Architecture & Design Portfolio Preparation Guide (University Interviews)

Want more support? Explore my Free Resources and Courses.

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Sonia Nicolson

Architect & former University Lecturer turned Entrepreneur. I help female Entrepreneurs successfully Design & Build their Creative Businesses in Interior Design, Architecture & Urban Sketching. 


Portrait of Sonia Nicolson, architect, educator, and creative mentor, smiling in her design studio workspace

Hi, I’m Sonia

Architect & Creative Educator helping you design and build your career and creative business in Interior Design, Architecture and Urban Sketching.

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Professional Credentials

  • 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)


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Sonia Nicolson

Reykjavík, Iceland | Architect, former University Lecturer, artist

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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