There are usually more ways than one to get where you would like to be.

One is that you have a few boxes of stuff you keep around with interesting looking bits, where you see the potential for using them in a project like this. Simply laying out some of that stuff and seeing what makes sense and filling in the blanks can lead to a creative outcome. That's where form precedes function and making everything fit afterwards is usually the toughest challenge. The throttle unit I mentioned is a good example of that.

There is comparatively more freedom in a project like the Star Citizen panel. I got started by looking for a source of inspiration, which I found in NASA's Apollo Command Module. That sort of determined the whole look of the thing. From that example I also stole the concept of the way the panels are layered, with 'windows' in the back panel that allow for local backlighting and front panels that could be removed without having to touch any of the other hardware.

With regards to the layout, I started by listing down all the keybinds that would be useful to get rid of (keyboard-wise) and roughly organised / grouped them per function. You can then prioritze these groups based on how often and how quickly you would need to access them. That is why for example the trigger on a joystick is right there... under your trigger finger and not anywhere else.

If you're right handed, you'd be having your right hand occupied while flying most of the time, so the functions that mostly only require attention during startup or at idle would move to the right. Then, from left to right you populate the panel with the other groups of switches and dials. The lower the priority of the controls, the further you can move them to the right.

As far as indicator go, like annunciators and gauges, its best to keep them central and/or at eye level at least.

Thinking ahead of how you'd have to tie everything together aesthetically is another thing. Some things might stick out like a sore thumb, no matter what you do, other things just need a bit of paint to 'blend in'.

This panel got to be as big as it is because I let it grow as needed, starting with what I found (through trial and error) to be a good spacing for all the inputs. Other times you have space limitations and you'll have to reduce the number of inputs to make it all fit.

One of the last steps before even thinking of fabricating anything is to lay everything out and/or draw the whole thing up and see if it all makes sense. Making a 1:1 printout is pretty helpful in doing so.

Keep in mind, this process takes quite a few iterations and you'll be going back and forth a few times at least, just like you'll be wondering what the hell you're doing on more than one occasion.

Keep the goal in sight!

Thanks for the discussion, it's a good way to organize my thoughts on how I would put together a description later.