how can I customize Andriod interface? What are my options to customize the android interface? I have android lollipop.  For example, visually, I find having all the apps in one screen confusing. I have like 5 functions that I should expect to do regularly, and the rest is just cluttering the place up. that is not to say I want to remove the other apps, I just don’t want to have to look at them, while I’m trying to do something else. 

It might be worth noting That I am coming from the Linux environment, where everything is highly customizable, and I am expecting android to also be highly customizable. perhaps that is flawed thinking. 

There is a desktop on my tablet, that has 5 icons, an apps shortlist, google play, the link to all apps, the camera, and a mail function. Can I change what apps those are?
Even in your pre-installed launcher you can remove apps from desktop (they will not be uninstalled from your tablet), sort them on your desktop any way you wish and add so many app icons to your desktop(s) how much place you have. Make a long tap on an icon and then you can move it or delete from desktop. Make a long tap on an icon in app drawer and then you can add it to your desktop.