Considering you're a self-professed noob, this might be beyond what you can do. But it is possible to go directly into the framework and change these icons. I prefer the minimalistic look of the words for my icons, so before I flash any ROM I go directly into the drawable-hdpi (and drawable-land-hdpi) and substitute the icons I want. The ones in question are called ic_jog_dial_sound_off.png, ic_jog_dial_sound_on.png, ic_jog_dial_unlock.png, and ic_jog_dial_vibrate_on.png. I also change the answer and decline sliders to similar icons.
I hope I didn't confuse you even more than before.