Program Overview

Introduction to Architectural Drawing

This beginner-friendly course introduces students to the fundamentals of architecture and interior design while fostering both technical skills and creative expression. Students will learn to create perspective drawings with depth, use artistic symbols to represent architectural ideas, and interpret essential technical drawings such as floor plans, elevations, and sections.

Class Outline

The course is structured into eight weeks, covering the following topics:

• Week 1: Introduction to Architecture & Developing Personal Style
  • Overview of architectural history and renowned architects' styles
  • Introduction to architectural symbols and their meanings
  • How architectural symbols can translate into personal style
• Week 2: Perspective Drawing Basics
  • Introduction to basic perspective (one-point and two-point)
  • Importance of perspective in architecture and interior design
• Week 3: Floor Plans
  • Introduction to technical drawings: Floor plans, layouts, and measurements
  • Translating real-world dimensions into scaled drawings
• Week 4: Elevations
  • Understanding elevations and their role in architectural design
  • Translating a floor plan into an elevation
• Week 5: Sections
  • Introduction to section drawings and their role in showing building interiors
  • How to "cut through" a building to reveal internal features and levels
• Week 6: Mixed Media: Charcoal
  • Enhancing technical drawings with mixed media
  • Techniques for light and shadow using charcoal in section drawings
• Week 7: Mixed Media: Watercolor
  • Using watercolor to enhance elevation drawings
  • Exploring expressive design through color and mood
• Week 8: Final Project & Review
  • Finalizing the design project by integrating skills from the entire course
  • Review and refinement of personal work

Materials Needed

The following materials are required for the course:

• Sketching paper
• Watercolor paper
• Pencil set (including erasers and sharpeners)
• Drafting pens
• Tape
• Ruler
• Charcoal set
• Watercolor set (with brushes)

Schedule

• Start: Wednesday, 1 October 2025
• End: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
• Lessons: 8
• Days: Wednesdays
• Time: 6:00-8:00 pm
• Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
• Cost: QAR 900

Instructor

• Nour AlAreed: An interior designer with a BFA from VCUarts Qatar, specializing in creating functional interiors with a focus on retail spaces and innovative design solutions. She has experience leading charcoal drawing classes and serving as a teaching assistant in Drawing and Interior Design studios at VCUarts Qatar.