This is really the most important point. When i use a new app i do not look at the icons and try to figure out what the images mean. What i DO is look for icons

This is really the most important point. When i use a new app i do not look at the icons and try to figure out what the images mean. What i DO is look for icons that are in similar places, or look like icons i'm used to in other applications. When i can't immediately find what i'm looking for, i use tooltips to search further and once found will easily remember which little picture does what i wanted, or at least roughly where the little picture was. What the picture shows does not matter, only that i can remember it.