This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entity-relationship_model#Crow.27s_Foot) is a common notation for schema diagrammes that I've used and seen used quite frequently.
Again, I can't really think of a single good text on database design. If you ask, somebody will usually crop up and say Date's Introduction to Database Systems (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Data-Base-Systems-Pie/dp/0321189566/) - it's the classic reference in the field, however it's not a terribly good tutorial.
Understand normalisation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization), understand why a design being 3NF (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_normal_form) is worth aiming for, and only then think about breaking the rules.
no subject
Again, I can't really think of a single good text on database design. If you ask, somebody will usually crop up and say Date's Introduction to Database Systems (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Introduction-Data-Base-Systems-Pie/dp/0321189566/) - it's the classic reference in the field, however it's not a terribly good tutorial.
Understand normalisation (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Database_normalization), understand why a design being 3NF (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_normal_form) is worth aiming for, and only then think about breaking the rules.