Learning the hard way

[cdlogan]

After having spent a number of years on the systems side of the world with my main exposure to MySQL being installation, upgrades, and server related problems, recent layoffs and downsizing is pushing me ever closer to the world of database design. I've picked up several books and am trying to gain as much knowledge as I can, but it's obvious that the proper design and implementation of a database is no trivial matter. One project that, for better or worse, I'll soon be involved with is the creation of a relational database (MySQL) to replace the current flat file system currently being used. This will include customers, parts, labor, service tickets, and invoices. While I've found many examples and tutorials, most all stop short of something of this scale. I'm finding it's quite easy to get mired down in all the normalizations, relations, foreign keys, etc, etc. My question then is, are there any recommended sources, in print or on the web, that would assist an admitted group of novices have at least fighting chance at tackling a fairly major project such as this. Any thoughts, suggestions or alcoholic beverages are greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
Chuck