12/3/2025 5:15 PM - Designed the Schematic

I added the buttons, LEDs, OLED and microcontroller together.

I used KiCad to add Power Symbols and Component Symbols which has come out to be like this

12/3/2025 5:24 PM - Designed the PCB

I adjusted the footprint and symbols on the schematic so that when I import it into my PCB, it will update if I change something in the schematic, like changing the GPIO.

Since I have never used KiCad, I made lots of mistakes and then fixed them later.

I attempted to make this as compact as possible, but after I made it, I asked a friend if this was a good build. However, he said not to cut corners and to rewire it, but only use the place through via feature if you can't reach the area.

This is the PCB

12/3/2025 5:46 PM - Designing Parts of the firmware with Wokwi

I had a Raspberry Pi running Python and added an OLED screen, 4 LEDs and 4 buttons.

I just needed a basic input output setup, as I don't have the module at this point, so I made it so the OLED screen and LEDs change depending on which button was pressed.

12/4/2025 7 PM - Redesigned the CAD

I have redesigned the CAD to make it more 3D-print-friendly, as there were issues like precision parts being too small, such as a 0.49mm divider for each LED.

It will now meet the requirements, and I will now look for websites to purchase the items from.

12/4/2025 9 PM - Looking for products on aliexpress and buying the pcb

I have found all the relevant products that I will be using for my macropad

Blank Keycaps: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005514406952.html $2.11 or £1.58
OLED Display: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008640108394.html $1.69 or £1.27
M3x16mm Screw: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008585550992.html $1.73 or £1.30
M3 Heat Set: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008897571758.html $1.29 or £0.97
Seeed XIAO RP2040: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008200917480.html $5.27 or £3.95
SK6812 MINI-E RGB: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008308801366.html $4.70 or £3.52
PCB From JLBPCB $4.20 or £3.90

The case will be printed off by me, which is £4 or $5

Total £20.49 or $27.30 as of 4th December 2025

With all the items not it should look like this

12/20/2025 - Soldering and debugging and redeveloping code

I added lots of checks into the code to make sure the components were actually working because it seemed that the microcontroller was slightly faulty after soldering, and permanently had pin 4 connected to ground.

I soldered all of the components. I tried to solder some SMD LEDs, but I failed and broke most of them before thinking it was a bit time-consuming and above my current skill level.

I added an animation to the code which was from wokwi oled animation maker, so when the camera switches, it has a moving movie image

I also made the onboard LED fade and change colour depending on which button is pressed. My calculations were slightly wrong for my CAD design, so I adjusted them and made sure the components fit.