So You Want to Build a Conference Hardware Badge!

This write-up details the end-to-end creation of a hackable conference hardware badge modeled after the Simon game, covering component selection, breadboard prototyping with Arduino/ATMega328P, code features (including a UART-accessible CTF menu), CAD design and PCB fabrication workflows (EAGLE/EasyEDA, Gerbers, BOM, Pick-and-Place), prototype testing pitfalls (misoriented MCU due to marking/footprint issues), and supply chain constraints. It provides practical lessons on coordinating designers and manufacturers, managing long fabrication/assembly lead times, addressing parts availability, and considering in-house assembly (PNP) to reduce cost and schedule risk.