Inspirational Stories #8: David Drazil

Architect, educator, and lifelong sketcher David Drazil has transformed sketching into a global resource through Sketch Like an Architect. His story shows how drawing remains a timeless tool for design, storytelling, and creative expression in architecture.

Elif Ayse Sen24 September 20254 Mins read3

Welcome to the 8th article of our Inspirational Stories series! In this series, we feature conversations with architects, studios, and content creators whose journeys bring fresh inspiration to the world of architecture. For this edition, we are proud to introduce David Drazil who is an architect turned educator, author, and lifelong sketcher. David is the creator of Sketch Like an Architect, a global resource that has made sketching approachable, practical, and engaging for creatives worldwide. With his unique approach, he combines the precision of an architect’s eye with the freedom of a sketchbook, showing how sketching can be more than lines on paper — it can be a powerful language for storytelling, problem-solving, and design exploration.

Table of Contents

How would you describe your identity as an architectural sketcher and content creator?

I’d describe myself as an architect turned educator, author, and lifelong sketcher — someone on a mission to bring sketching back to the heart of design. My identity is rooted in both the craft and the communication side of drawing. I see sketching as more than lines on paper — it’s a language for thinking, problem-solving, and telling the story of an idea in the most natural way possible. As a content creator, I’ve built Sketch Like an Architect into a global resource that’s approachable, practical, and a little bit addictive — blending the precision of an architect’s eye with the joy and freedom of a sketchbook. Everything I share, whether it’s a course, book, or social post, is designed to help others feel confident and excited to put pen (or stylus) to paper, so they can express their ideas clearly and stand out in their work.

I started sharing my architectural sketches and content online back in 2016–2017, during a time when I had just finished my master’s degree in Denmark. I noticed a big gap — architects and designers were still expected to sketch, but most had never really been taught how. That lack of training didn’t just hold people back in school; it affected their confidence, their presentations, and even their career opportunities. While job hunting in a new country, I began creating my first e-book and course, documenting my process on Instagram as a way to share practical sketching tips. I didn’t have a grand plan at the start — I just wanted to make sketching feel more accessible, relevant, and fun. Over time, that small experiment grew into Sketch Like an Architect, a platform that now reaches hundreds of thousands of creatives worldwide.

As someone who both teaches and creates, what do you find most challenging about producing content regularly?

Honestly, the hardest part is balancing the creative depth I want to bring with the pace the internet moves at. My teaching is rooted in clarity, precision, and making complex ideas simple — which takes time to do well. But content demands are constant, and it’s easy to feel like you’re on a treadmill. I refuse to put out work that feels rushed or shallow, so the challenge is finding ways to repurpose my best teaching moments, stories, and student wins into bite-size content without losing the integrity of my message. That’s why I lean on my frameworks, my 6-step sketching method, and my library of teaching assets — they keep the quality high while making it easier to stay consistent.

What architectural themes or values do you try to emphasize through your sketches and tutorials?

Through my sketches and tutorials, I always try to emphasize clarity, storytelling, and the human connection to space. For me, a sketch isn’t just lines on paper — it’s a language. I focus on showing how those lines can communicate ideas quickly, spark imagination, and make a design feel real, even in its earliest stages. I value simplicity over complexity, so I teach techniques that strip away the noise and highlight what’s essential — proportion, light, depth, and life. I also believe sketches should be approachable and inviting, whether they’re for a client presentation, a concept discussion, or a personal travel journal. Ultimately, my goal is to help people see sketching not just as a technical skill, but as a timeless tool for thinking, exploring, and connecting — both with others and with their own creativity.

Sketch Like an Architect book by David Drazil

Who are the sketchers, architects, or interdisciplinary figures that have influenced your practice and content style?

I’ve been influenced by a mix of classic architectural masters, contemporary sketchers, and creative thinkers from outside the AEC world. Beyond architecture, I look to creatives like Raphael Lacoste for his breathtaking environments and cinematic world-building, Alex Hogrefe for his brilliant tutorials and insights into architectural visualization, and Austin Kleon for his books that every creative should read — uplifting, funny, and packed with practical wisdom. I’m always searching for that blend of clarity and creativity — the point where a single image can explain, inspire, and connect. That’s the standard I try to bring into both my sketches and my teaching.

Through his journey from architect to educator and content creator, David Drazil has shown how sketching remains a timeless tool for design thinking and creative communication. His work with Sketch Like an Architect proves that even in today’s digital age, a simple line on paper can spark ideas, tell stories, and connect people around the world. We hope his story inspires you to embrace sketching not only as a skill, but as a way of exploring and expressing your own creativity.