I use Spotlight search via ⌘-Space for launching applications. Searching pictographs is not my best mental capability. I am much more adept at list processing. I limit keyboard-initated searches to applications to reduce the result list size.
I find the Finder search field much more satisfactory for both file by name and content searches.
My Dock has around two dozen of my most used applications. The Dock is locked so that the applications are grouped for my best use. Think of it as a mini-launch pad arranged by myself, not Apple. (within Dock limits, of course)