Hi Ken,
When I build prototype projects (that aren't SMD), I usually build them on "perfboard" or "punchboard" or" Vectorboard" or whatever it's called these days.
It's just epoxy glass board with holes punched on a .100" grid.
Stuff the parts in from the top, bend the leads over on the bottom and solder...

Here's a top view of a simple "vectorboard project":



And bottom:


That's a simple board, but I've done some pretty large and complex circuits using that method and it's worked well for me for over 30 years now.

Put your IC's in sockets so that you can replace them easily if something "bad" happens.

Good luck! And have lots of fun!


steve