I've taken basically, only my introductory course in DC electronics.

How far away am I from being able to accomplish this? What additional knowledge of electronics will I need?

I want to make analog and digital versions of them.

I have a larger project in mind that includes those items...

 

Analog meters are probably trickier to make mechanically than electrically.
It's like a coil of wire on a piece of magnet with some springs. You need to calibrate it so it points where it should.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanometer

You can buy some panel mount ones for a few dollars if you want to use them.

 

We have an experiment about the analog type - http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_6/chpt_3/11.html

With the ICL7107, you can make a digital meter. You can get a data sheet here - http://www.intersil.com/products/deviceinfo.asp?pn=ICL7107

 

Check into Wheatstone bridge circuits. These can be built around an old analog panel meter........ a VU level meter culled from one of the fancier stereo multiplex units

That oughta have you tearing you hair for a few days

 

Hello,

On this page of the EDUCYPEDIA you will find links with information on meters (analog and digital):
http://www.educypedia.be/electronics/multimeter.htm

Bertus