Until recently, PCB design was something that looked incredibly complicated to me.
I used to see images of professionally designed circuit boards online and always wondered:
“How do people actually make these?”
This project became my first real attempt at understanding that process.
Using a simple 2N2222 transistor audio amplifier circuit, I started learning how schematics become actual PCB boards using KiCad and EasyEDA. What seemed like a small beginner electronics project quickly became one of the most valuable learning experiences I’ve had so far.
Starting With the Circuit
The project was based on a simple transistor amplifier using the 2N2222 NPN transistor. The circuit itself was not very large, but it introduced many important electronics concepts including:
- transistor biasing
- signal amplification
- grounding
- coupling capacitors
- PCB routing
The amplifier circuit included:
- resistors
- electrolytic capacitors
- input and output connectors
- speaker output
- power input section
The purpose of the circuit was simple:
to amplify a small audio signal enough to drive a speaker.
Even though the circuit looked simple on paper, implementing it as a PCB was a completely different experience.
Discovering the Difference Between a Schematic and a PCB
At first, I thought creating a schematic was the difficult part.
I was wrong.
After completing the schematic in KiCad, I encountered something called footprints. That was when I realized PCB design is not only about electrical connections — it is also about physical hardware.
Figure 1: Schematic - KiCad
Figure 2: Schematic - EasyEDA
Every component needed a real physical package:
- resistors needed through-hole footprints
- capacitors needed proper spacing
- connectors needed accurate pin pitch
- the transistor required a TO-92 package
Without assigning footprints correctly, KiCad simply refused to generate the PCB layout.
Seeing errors like:
“No footprint assigned”
“Malformed board outline”
“Unconnected items”
became part of the learning process.
At first it felt frustrating, but eventually those errors started teaching me how PCB software actually works.
The Most Challenging Part: PCB Routing
The routing stage was definitely the hardest part of this project.
The moment the components appeared inside the PCB editor, the screen filled with yellow connection lines going everywhere. My first layout looked extremely messy:
- tracks crossing each other
- components placed randomly
- routing becoming impossible
For a while, it honestly felt overwhelming.
Then I learned one important lesson:
Good PCB routing starts with good component placement.
Once I reorganized the components according to the signal flow of the circuit, everything became easier.
I arranged the board like this:
- audio input section on one side
- transistor stage in the center
- output section near the speaker connector
- power section separated cleanly
That small change made routing far more manageable.
Figure 3: EasyEDA PCB Layout
Figure 4: KiCad PCB Layout
Learning About Copper Layers
Before this project, I had no idea what copper layers actually meant in PCB design.
While working in KiCad, I learned about:
F.Cu (Front Copper)
B.Cu (Back Copper)
Edge.Cuts
PCB outlines
I also learned how PCB manufacturers use the Edge.Cuts layer to determine the physical shape of the board.
For this design, I used a simpler single-layer style approach to keep the routing easier and more beginner-friendly.
Using KiCad and EasyEDA
This project gave me the opportunity to explore both KiCad and EasyEDA.
KiCad
I mainly used KiCad for:
- schematic design
- footprint assignment
- PCB routing
- copper layers
- 3D PCB viewing
EasyEDA
EasyEDA helped with:
- quick circuit visualization
- understanding PCB layouts
- comparing workflows between tools
Working with both tools helped me understand how professional PCB design software operates.
What This First PCB Taught Me
This project taught me much more than just how to connect electronic components.
It taught me:
- patience during debugging
- logical component placement
- PCB workflow basics
- practical electronics design
- how hardware is prepared for manufacturing
Most importantly, it taught me that PCB design is not something you learn only by watching tutorials.
You learn it by struggling through errors, experimenting with layouts, fixing mistakes, and slowly improving with each attempt.
There is still a lot for me to learn, but this first PCB design experience made electronics feel much more real, practical, and exciting.
And honestly, it made me want to build even more.
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