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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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  • Portfolio Reviews/
  • Student Resources/
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Blog

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

Discover inspiring stories, sketching tips, and creative insights from Sonia Nicolson — Chartered Architect, Educator & Founder of Reykjavik Sketcher. Learn how to draw like an architect and design a creative life you love

 
September 20, 2021

Back to work after maternity leave

September 20, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson
Back to work after maternity leave

Back when I was pregnant with Angus, and in preparation for maternity leave and life with two children, I took some time to plan how I wanted my business to work and grow as my family grew, and my focus understandably got challenged. 

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September 20, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson/
Life & Creativity
life-creativity, creative-career
September 20, 2021

10 Entrepreneurial Side Hustles for Designers & Architects

September 20, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson
10 Entrepreneurial Side Hustles for Designers & Architects

Looking to earn extra income from your creative skills? Here are 10 side hustles for designers and architects, from teaching online to selling digital products, plus how to turn them into a sustainable business through coaching.

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September 20, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson/
Creative Business & Practice
creative-practice-business, creative-career
June 04, 2021

How to Improve Your Online Presence (and Be Found for the Right Reasons)

June 04, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson
How to Improve Your Online Presence (and Be Found for the Right Reasons)

Your online presence is your new first impression. In this updated 2025 guide, learn how to audit, refresh, and protect what people find when they Google you, and make it work for your creative career or business.

Read More
June 04, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson/
Creative Business & Practice
creative-practice-business
February 25, 2021

My Thoughts On Turning 40

February 25, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson
My Thoughts On Turning 40

I’m sharing my thoughts on turning 40 and opening up about life in my 30s and what I want to achieve in my 40s as a Wife, Mum, and Entrepreneur.

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February 25, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson/
Life & Creativity
life-creativity
February 03, 2021

You Are Your Most Valuable Asset as a Creative Entrepreneur

February 03, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson
You Are Your Most Valuable Asset as a Creative Entrepreneur

Self-employed or not, you are your most valuable asset. Your business, your ideas and your progress depend on your energy, focus and wellbeing – which is why learning to take care of yourself is not a luxury, it’s essential.

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February 03, 2021/ Sonia Nicolson/
Life & Creativity
creative-career
March 03, 2020

Do What You Love, and the sh*t that comes with it

March 03, 2020/ Sonia Nicolson
Do What You Love, and the sh*t that comes with it

Since moving to Iceland 4 years ago now, I have worked for myself. Working for myself is an easy phrase to type or say but the action of making it happen and being successful, as in profitable, is a different story.

Read More
March 03, 2020/ Sonia Nicolson/
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.

start here

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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)


Promotional graphic for Sonia Nicolson’s free Architect’s Lettering Workbook, featuring a hand-drawn workbook on a laptop with the text “Learn how to write like an architect and develop your own style.”
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Architectural Drawing Courses, Prints & Portfolio Help
Hand-Drawn Architectural Sketch (physical artwork)
Hand-Drawn Architectural Sketch (physical artwork)
from $150.00
Custom Digital House Portrait - Architectural Sketch Commission
Custom Digital House Portrait - Architectural Sketch Commission
from $400.00

 
 

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 along on Instagram @SoniaNicolson

 
Sonia Nicolson Architect and Online Educator

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