Depends on what you are trying to do. You can do lots of customization by getting a launcher. I'm using Launcher Pro Plus. You can get it free or pay couple of bucks for the plus version that comes with bunch of nice widgets. As for the icons I use 'desktop visualizer' app, you can find it in the market for free. Lemme know if you're looking for something particular, may I can help.
thanks for the reply...yeah i picked up the full launcher pro and desktop visualizer. i have been able to use some of the full color 4x1 icons for example and i like its setup now...i was wondering if it was as simple as continuing to do that. the text icons are just that, using an editing tool to make a simple icon with text and save it? that clock was slick too...its just a widget? (i'm not sure the wife would be to crazy about that background tho, however it is quite nice.)...thanks again.