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For my ECE 1100 project, I decided to learn how to better use Kicad and create my own PCB from scratch. I've done projects where I help write the schematic, or a I help do the layout or placement of components. I've never built a PCB from the ground up, so I wanted to be able to do just that for this project.

First, I knew I wanted to put the design in a certain format and to do that, I needed to put a bunch of LEDs on the board. Before making the schematic, I made a diagram of the design with all the LEDs placed where I wanted and labeled them numerically.



Here's the schematic:



This schematic showcases 37 LEDs, paired with 13 resistors. It uses two coin batteries and uses a switch to turn the circuit on and off.

Here's the layout:



I've placed the LEDs and resistors in a way that accomodates the design I wanted. In turn, I then had to route all the connections. KiCad automatically shows you where you should route, so I routed it accordingly and in a way that's easy for it to fit on the board and looks good.

After the PCB was finished and all laid out, I sent it to JLCPCB to print so I could place all the components on it and have the LEDs light up.

Here's a picture of the printed bare PCB:



Originally, I wanted to have blue LEDs on the bottom row, red LEDs on the middle row, and green LEDs on the top row. When I was soldering, all the blue LEDs worked fine, but I quickly found out that the red LEDs weren't turning on as red. They were turning on as white. I checked the red LED specifications and found that red LEDs have a lower voltage drop than the others. I didn't account for that in my schematic design and attempted to color the LEDs with a red expo marker, but it didn't work very well.

After soldering the LEDs on, I soldered the resistors on and soldered the battery cases and switch onto the board. When everything was done, the PCB could now be used.

Here is the finished PCB:



Now, I have a PCB that's portable and that lights up whenever I switch it on. I wanted to make this to have as a wall decoration in my living room.