Embeded Design

So /prog/,
I wanna learn how to do embedded design, interfacing, and programming (sort of like how TI's are made, and old school non-complex computers such as the c64).

Any advice, information, etc. to point me in the right direction? I'd prefer to get input from people who have experience in this area. For example, I have an tiny display that works from a phone. Don't know how to use it, but want to take a cpu (I have a 8086 chip lying around), a ROM, and write the software to put a circle or something on the screen.

>>8
SIB bytes and full addressing modes weren't added until the 386. The 8086 has 4 data registers and 4 address registers, all with their own caveats and limitations. Compared to a 68K or PDP-11 or RISC, it's not straightforward at all.