we all understand the rush aspect where you rush in and try to setup a good site but it still requires basic knowledge of the forums features, my forum have been online 2weeks
and there ins't much on the admin end that cannot be learned just by trial and error.
best advice is to go through each and every option under the AdminCP and read the descriptions if it that still eludes you click the little question mark button beside it for help on that section. my advice learn the basics, and knowledge of how servers work, PHP XML CSS and SQL skills is always a plus. as far as logos and such make your own, Photoshop CS3 Extended, Pain't Shop Pro etc.