I would try to go though the forums to find the answer but seeing as it takes 10 minutes to load a page it would be quite impossible.
How do you edit spell animations, either change color or make a new symbol for a buff and incert it into the map? You dont have to fully answer u can give me a link if u can thx.
making icons is easy, all you need is a good painting program. there's a good tutorial on this page, look at it! well changing animations is more complicated, cause you need a good modeling program, and many others to make it compatible with warcraft... but take a look at the Models forum section. they will tell you everything, but read the tutorials first.