With almost all MLIS and similar degree programs having a required course covering database design, it is critical to develop curriculum that engages students in learning essential concepts and how to implement designs. We report on a project that explored how essential knowledge about database design can be taught effectively through experiential learning activities involving collaborative groupwork and using database software to build small databases and search forms. The focus is an existing required introductory course on information retrieval system design, in which students learn about database design concepts and implement their designs in browser-based software, building the database structure, content, and search forms. They learn about critical concepts in database design, including eliciting user needs and requirements, prototyping, teamwork, and iterative testing and evaluation. The project had two aims: to select new database software to use as a learning tool in the course and to redesign course assignments so that learning experiences would be enhanced. The project led to important findings about the student learning experiences, to improvements in the curriculum, and to recommendations for educators involved in similar courses.