I've been using KiCad for a few months now and I can't say enough good about this software. The structure of KiCad is very well organized (I used default components to make my first test circuit):

- define a footprint in the footprint library
- define a corresponding symbol in the symbol library (add link to footprint)
- draw the schematic of your circuit (add link to symbol)
- draw the PCB of your circuit using schematic

Once you get the hang of things, it just seems to flow nicely (at least for me). I didn't take an online course at the beginning; I just jumped in after watching an intro video on youtube (I didn't save a link, sorry).

I just found a neat little feature. Many devices like an EC11 rotary encoder have support brackets that are not part of the electrical circuit.

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Use the Rule Out Area tool in the footprint library, you can lock out the area under these supports as desired:

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And that's it. You don't have to do what I was doing; adding little hatch marks on the front silkscreen to remind me not to put anything in that area.