What is the most effecient way to practicing PCB-design?

[siyar]

Hi,

I'm new to PCB-design. I know the basics which means that i am able to produce a PCB from schematic to gerber. My last project was a 4-layer stm32 board with a few peripherals + a buck converter.

Im looking for an effective strategy to accelerate my skills. Fx an issue i have is that i feel like i waste to much time on assigning footprints. Is there a effecient workflow to do this faster or is there some common footprints i should memorise?

Also i was considering mastering one type of circuit at a time. Fx first ill do 10 PCB's for power circuits, then ill focus on high-speed digital circuits etc.
Is this a good approach?

Any tips will be appreciatied. Thanks in advance.

[tszaboo]

You learn it by doing it. So make more designs, even if you wouldn't order it.
Yes libraries and footprints take time. So build up a library of components that you can use on future projects.

[PGPG]

i feel like i waste to much time on assigning footprints.

I started to use KiCad in 2017 (V4.0.7 was first I have installed). Before designing my first KiCad PCB I made my libraries (initial set of symbols and footprints needed for first PCB).
I use only my libraries, and with all symbols having footprint assigned. I have never even tried how footprint assigning in KiCad looks like. I waste time on footprint assigning only when adding new symbol to my library. During PCB design I spend exactly 0 time on footprint assigning.
Using only my own libraries have one, not expected by me, 'side effect'. When changing main KiCad version number V4-V5-V6-V7-V8 (I don't use V9 yet - too new, too many bugs) I didn't needed to mix once more my own libraries lists with KiCad libraries lists. Whenever new KiCad version is released I see people asking how to have everything with library in order. As my library lists does't change I just have to show KiCad at first run my lists and done. As I have read recently with V9 they still have not solved this library lists problem.

To better know how to design PCBs I suggest to read pdfs I have found about 2002..2004. I have linked them at KiCad forum (hope links are still valid):
https://forum.kicad.info/t/decoupling-capacitor-via-placement/25132/14
https://forum.kicad.info/t/decoupling-capacitor-via-placement/25132/19