I needed some LEDs so that I could track what my data lines were doing. I started with a bunch of LEDs and resistors on a breadboard.

From there I made up a small block of SMD LEDs and resistors on a piece of proto board.

Then I moved to an actual prototype on a dedicated protoboard.

Finally, I produced the finished product. BLINKY LIGHTS!

The friend who I work with can design a board entirely in software, we use Pulsonix, without every making a prototype, send it for manufacture, and get working boards back. Even when I build multiple prototypes I often end up with boards that need FECs to make them work.