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Wherever you are in your architecture journey, I'll help you work out what to do next
You're thinking about architecture, interior architecture or interior design. Maybe you're applying to university, preparing for your first year, already studying and feeling stuck, or beginning to think about internships and what comes next.
Start with where you are right now
01 | Thinking About Architecture or Design School
Thinking about studying architecture, interior architecture or interior design? I'll help you understand what to expect, choose the right path and start preparing for university - from building your skills to creating a strong application portfolio.
Preparing an architecture portfolio for university? After reviewing hundreds of student portfolios as a former lecturer, I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see every year, and what strong portfolios do differently, so you can apply with confidence and clarity.
Many 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.
Thinking about studying architecture? Here’s everything I wish I’d known as a student - from subjects and skills to books, documentaries, and portfolio tips.
Struggling with perfectionism in your sketching practice? Learn how to let go of the pressure to make every drawing perfect so you can enjoy the process, grow your skills, and fall in love with drawing again. Especially helpful for beginner urban sketchers and creatives.
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.
02 | Starting Architecture School
Starting architecture school can feel exciting and completely overwhelming.
You might be wondering whether everyone else can already draw, what happens in studio, what you'll need to buy, what a tutorial actually is or whether you're already behind before you've even started.
You're not expected to arrive knowing everything.
You're there to learn.
Best pens for architectural lettering and line weight, plus simple tips to improve your drawings and make them look clean, clear, and professional.
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.
Many 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.
These drawing warm-up exercises are designed for architecture students, urban sketchers and interior designers. Loosen your hand, improve line confidence, and prepare for stronger sketches in just 5–10 minutes.
How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students
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.
03 | Studying Architecture or Design
Stuck on a project? Confused by your tutor's feedback? Preparing for a crit? Or just feeling like everyone else knows what they're doing?
Need someone to look at your actual project?
Best pens for architectural lettering and line weight, plus simple tips to improve your drawings and make them look clean, clear, and professional.
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.
Many 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.
Struggling with perfectionism in your sketching practice? Learn how to let go of the pressure to make every drawing perfect so you can enjoy the process, grow your skills, and fall in love with drawing again. Especially helpful for beginner urban sketchers and creatives.
These drawing warm-up exercises are designed for architecture students, urban sketchers and interior designers. Loosen your hand, improve line confidence, and prepare for stronger sketches in just 5–10 minutes.
How to Draw One-Point Perspective: A Step-by-Step Guide for Architecture & Interior Design Students
04 | Building My Portfolio
Your portfolio has one job: to communicate what you're capable of clearly.
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.
Preparing an architecture portfolio for university? After reviewing hundreds of student portfolios as a former lecturer, I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see every year, and what strong portfolios do differently, so you can apply with confidence and clarity.
Many 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.
Thinking about studying architecture? Here’s everything I wish I’d known as a student - from subjects and skills to books, documentaries, and portfolio tips.
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.
05 | Preparing for What Comes Next
A behind-the-scenes look at my journey as a Senior Lecturer in Interior Architecture in the UK, from teaching and course development to international recruitment, research, and helping students build portfolios that stand out.
Preparing an architecture portfolio for university? After reviewing hundreds of student portfolios as a former lecturer, I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see every year, and what strong portfolios do differently, so you can apply with confidence and clarity.
Studying architecture in Japan changed how I see design, discipline, and drawing. Here’s how that experience shaped my creative journey.
There’s this idea that if you’re passionate enough, you’ll never fall out of love with architecture. That once you’ve chosen this path, you’ll follow it forever with certainty, with pride, with relentless motivation. But what happens when that passion fades? When the dream job isn’t what you imagined, when burnout creeps in, or when the industry doesn’t welcome you in the way you hoped?
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.
New to architectural drawing? Start with these 5 skills
1. Line confidence | Warm-up exercises
2. Architectural sketching | Beginner guide
3. Perspective | One-point perspective & Two-point perspective
4. Plans | Floor plan guide
5. Architectural communication | Architectural Lettering, Line Weight, Rendering
Meet your Mentor
Sonia Nicolson
Chartered Architect
Former University Lecturer
15+ years of teaching architecture
My approach: I don't expect you to arrive knowing everything. I teach the skills, thinking, and confidence that architecture school expects you to develop.
Drawing isn't talent. It's a skill.
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.