This document provides an introductory overview of using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and American FactFinder. It demonstrates how to retrieve and clean census data from American FactFinder, adjust photographs in Photoshop, and compose multiple photos in a single presentation in InDesign. Step-by-step instructions are provided for searching census data, cleaning up photographs, creating a collage panorama, and introducing the basic tools and panels in each program.

1. INTRODUCTORY DEMO:
CENSUS DATA AND PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
PLAN601E VERBAL AND VISUAL: INFORMATION GRAPHICS (SESSION 1)

2. COPY EXERCISE FILES
COPY FROM PUBLIC SHARE FOLDER TO A LOCAL FOLDER

3. RETRIEVING CENSUS DATA
USING AMERICAN FACTFINDER

4. http://factfinder2.census.gov/U.S. CENSUS
AMERICAN FACTFINDER

5. FactFinder utilizes ‘Selections’ and ‘Filters’ in order to call up
the census data you’re looking for.
OVERALL STRUCTURE
OF AMERICAN FACTFINDER
FILTERS
SELECTIONS

6. FactFinder displays the search results of the selections you
make as a list of accessible data sets.
OVERALL STRUCTURE
OF AMERICAN FACTFINDER

7. 1) Select ‘Geographies’ filter.
2) Select ‘State>Place’ in ‘geographic type’ options.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
We are searching for New York City population data at three scales:
city, community district, and census tract.
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1

8. 3) Choose ‘New York’ and ‘New York City’ from the options.
4) Click ‘Add to your Selections.’
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
We are searching for New York City population data at three scales:
city, community district, and census tract.
3
4

9. 5) Select ‘Year’ under the ‘Topics’ filter and click on ‘2010’ (the
most recent year for which there is population data).
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
The New York City data set is now in ‘your selections,’ but we have to
apply another filter and narrow down the data.
5

10. 6) You can make it easier to scroll through data sets by adding
more sets per page.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
Fact-finder displays all of the data categories for your selection
(New York City, 2010) with an ID and Title.
6

11. 7) Scroll through data sets to find ‘Total Population’ (P1)
or enter P1 in the ‘Topic or table name’ search field.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
Fact-finder displays all of the data categories for your selection
(New York, 2010) with an ID and Title.
7

12. 8) Check the box next to ‘Total Population.’
9) Click download. The data is in a zipped .csv file.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
Fact-finder displays all of the data categories for your selection
(New York, 2010) with an ID and Title.
8
9

13. Now we’ll search for data for the study area.
There are 22 census tracts in the study area.
They are displayed here in ascending order.
BROWNSVILLE STUDY AREA
40.01
48
50.01
50.02
52
54
56
60
62
64
68
76
44
70
72
78
119
121.01
121.02
123
157
161
STUDY
AREA

14. 10) Clear all your selections by clicking the ‘x’s next to each of
them.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR NEW YORK CITY
Now we will search for data for
the Brownsville study area
10

15. 11) Select geographies filter. 12) Select ‘Census Tract’. 13)
Select ‘New York’. 14) Select ‘New York’. 15) Select each tract.
16) Click on ‘Add to your selections.’
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR THE STUDY AREA
To create a selection for a community district, you have to
filter all of the census tracts in that district.
11
12
13
14
15
16

16. 17) Click on map to verify you have selected all of the census
tracts.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR THE STUDY AREA
To create a selection for a community district, you have to
filter all of the census tracts in that district.
17

17. 18) Enter P1 in the search field. 19) Check the box next to P1.
20) Click download.
SEARCHING FOR DATA
FOR THE STUDY AREA
FactFinder displays all of the data categories for your selection
(7 census tracts) with an ID and Title.
18
19
20

18. 21) Make sure to separate fields by commas.USING DATA
FROM AMERICAN FACTFINDER
To use the data, open the first .csv file in a spreadsheet program.
21

19. A quick way to clean up data so it can be sorted:
21) Use Find/Replace to remove extraneous text.
CLEANING UP DATA
FROM AMERICAN FACTFINDER
21
Open the second .csv file.

20. 22) Sum the population column to get the population for the
study area.
CLEANING UP DATA
FROM AMERICAN FACTFINDER
Now we can compare population data across three scales:
NYC, study area, and Census Tract
22

21. INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
OVERVIEW OF TOOLS AND PANELS
ADJUSTING PHOTOGRAPHS
CHANGING PHOTO COMPOSITION AND ADD TRANSPARENCY
CREATING A COLLAGE PANORAMA

22. INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
RGB = Red/Green/Blue; CMYK = Cyan/Magenta/Yellow/Black
MENUS
Photoshop is used to edit raster images.

23. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
Photoshop utilizes ‘Layers’ to sequence the display of images.
Double clicking ‘Background’ will make it an active layer.
LAYERS

24. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
The Move tool moves images around the artboard.
MOVE

25. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
The select tool selects an area of pixels in the image.
SELECT

26. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
There are several settings under Image > Adjustments
to change the brightness and contrast of images.
LEVELS

27. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOSHOP
The crop tool crops a particular area of the image.
CROP

28. Photoshop is used to edit raster images.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
We’re going to utilize this photograph of Rivington Place in London
to illustrate the idea of ground floor transparency.

29. 1) Make the background layer an active layer (double click
‘background’, then click ‘OK’. 2) resize the image to 8’ x 6’.CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
We’re going to utilize this photograph of Rivington Place in London
to illustrate the idea of ground floor transparency.
1
2
LAYERS

30. 3) Click and drag from the ruler to create a 3 x 3 grid of guides.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
We’re going to utilize this photograph of Rivington Place in London
to emphasize the presence of ground floor storefronts.
RULER
RULER
3

31. 4) Right-click the image and select ‘scale’, then while holding-
shift, drag the image handles to resize the photo, aligning the
window with the left vertical line.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Let’s utilize the ‘rule of thirds’ to crop the image and focus
the viewer’s eye on the important features of the picture.
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4

32. 6) Apply a combination of ‘Auto Tone’/’Auto Contrast’/’Auto
Color’ in order to quickly balance out colors and brightness. 6)
Duplicate your layer.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Now adjust the color levels and brightness.
4
4
5
6

33. 6) Enter ‘Quick-mask mode.’ 7) Select a brush with a large
diameter and make ‘Hardness’ 0%.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Now adjust the color levels and brightness.
6
7

34. 8) Use the brush to select a highlight area over the ground floor
window.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Now adjust the color levels and brightness.
8

35. 9) Return to ‘Standard mode.’ 10) Invert selection (Selection >
Inverse; 11) Adjust levels (Image > Adjustments > Levels) to
slightly add brightness to the window.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Now adjust the color levels and brightness.
9
11 10
11

36. CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Now the photo emphasizes the ground floor storefront: the area of focus
occupies more space in the composition (per the rule of thirds), and our
increased contrast draws the eye to the storefront.

37. 12) Use the ‘Lasso’ tool to create a selection over the window.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Adding a color transparency to a photograph is
an easy technique for creating further focus.
12
12

38. 13) Select a highlight color. 14) Select ‘Fill’ from the ‘Edit’ menu.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Adding a color transparency to a photograph is
an easy technique for creating further focus.
14
13

39. 15) Set the layer transparency to ‘Multiply’ and adjust the
opacity.
CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Adding a color transparency to a photograph is
an easy technique for creating further focus.
15

40. CLEANING UP PHOTOGRAPHS
Adding a color transparency to a photograph is
an easy technique for creating further focus.

41. 1) Open several photos and then paste them into a single
photoshop file, creating a layer for each one.
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
1

42. 2) Select a layer; adjust opacity. 3) Move it using the Move tool.
4) Rotate to align with other photos (Edit > Transform >
Rotate)
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
2
2
3 4

43. 5) Return opacity to 100% and repeat for other photos.
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
5

44. 6) Select your top layer, then merge the photo layers together
using Layer > Merge Down.
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
6

45. 7) Pull a horizontal guide line down from the ruler. 8) Rotate
image (Edit > Transform > Rotate) and align horizon line with
the guide.
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
8
7

46. 9) Crop the image.COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
9

47. 10) Use Auto Tone/Auto Contrast/Auto Color tools to balance
colors. 11) Flatten image (Layer > Flatten Image).
COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.
10
11

48. COLLAGING PHOTOS
Let’s make a collage of some photos to create
a panorama of downtown Los Angeles.

49. INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE INDESIGN
OVERVIEW OF TOOLS AND PANELS
COMPOSING SEVERAL PHOTOS IN A SINGLE PRESENTATION
EXPORTING

50. The difference between Illustrator and Photoshop is a difference
between vector and raster graphics.
INTRODUCTION TO
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
ILLUSTRATOR = VECTOR PHOTOSHOP = RASTER

51. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
INTRODUCTION TO
ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE
SUITENON
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RECEPTIO IS RE
INDESIGN = VECTOR + RASTER + TEXT
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52. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
The basic menus and tool palettes in InDesign are similar to
those of Illustrator and Photoshop.
TEXT
SELECTION
INTRODUCTION TO INDESIGN
MENUS

53. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
Use the selection tools tool
to adjust the size and shape of polygons.
RECTANGLE
INTRODUCTION TO INDESIGN
SELECTION TOOLS

54. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
InDesign displays images by referencing jpeg, tiff,
or other files on your desktop.
INTRODUCTION TO INDESIGN
PLACE

55. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
The pen tools allows you to draw
new polygons by placing anchor points.
INTRODUCTION TO INDESIGN
PEN

56. InDesign is used to format layouts of both vector and raster
graphics, plus text.
INTRODUCTION TO INDESIGN
Panels provide options for the modification and
management of your InDesign document.
PAGES
COLORS

57. FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS
Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
1) Place an image in InDesign.
1

58. FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS 1) Place an image in InDesign.
Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
1

59. FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS
2) Adjust the ‘frame’ (in blue) of the image: click the image with
the direct selection tool, then move the handles to make the
frame a square.
Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
2
2

60. Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS
3) Center the image in the frame by selecting it with the indirect
selection tool (the bounds of the image defined in brown).
3

61. Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
4) Repeat steps 1 to 3 for additional photos and arrange them
on the page using the direct selection tool.
FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS
4
4

62. Let’s utilize InDesign to arrange some screenshots from Google Maps.
FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS

63. FORMATTING PHOTOGRAPHS
There are many ways to format photos in order to tell a story.
Clockwise from top left: David Hockney, ‘Yosemite Valley’;
Charles and Ray Eames, ‘Powers of Ten’; Teddy Cruz, ‘Border
Postcards.’

64. Let’s walk through exporting from InDesign.
EXPORTING PDF
1
1) Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets and choose either ‘Smallest
File Size’ (for items like weekly assignments) or ‘Press Quality’
(for Presentation Printing).

65. Let’s walk through exporting from InDesign.
EXPORTING JPEGS
1) Go to File > Export and choose JPEG from the file type drop-
down menu.
1

66. Let’s walk through exporting from InDesign.
EXPORTING JPEGS
2) Enter the page number or page range you want to export as
JPEGs before clicking Export.
2

67. ASSIGNMENT 1
Title of your
presentation
Title; 1-4 slides of photo documentation
PDF, 7.5”x10”
Intertitle; sketches, notes, precedents and revisions
Including your raw
data collection if
that data is not fully
accounted in your
photo documentation
Sketches, notes,
precedents
and revisions
Message of this slide/ category
of data documented on this page
From some part of your PDF
JPEG
Message of this slide/ category
of data documented on this page

68. SCORED OUT OF 10 POINTS
Clarity and coherence
of narrative constructed? (/4)
Thoughtfulness, suitability and/or
creativity in representation? (/3)
Engagement with and evaluation
of different representational strategies
(as evidenced in the slide deck by sketches,
precedents, notes and finished work)? (/2)
Deployment of tools demonstrated
in class? (/1)
ASSIGNMENT 1
1 pt for each day late
Timely second week
resubmissions can be
regraded
Blog comments due
by Thursday night

69. USE THE WEBSITE AS A REFERENCE
EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS WORK
LIBRARIES OF COLORS, ICONS AND STOCK IMAGERY
FREEWARE ADOBE ALTERNATIVES