Health Information Breakout

@mollyampersand

Code for America Summit 2014

YOU can design better health information!

With your host Molly McLeod molly@codeforamerica.org

@mollyampersand

Code for America Summit 2014

I can’t help thinking about how things could be better.

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Steps?

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REMEMBER

BUT MORE

ONE

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This is helpful

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Not clearly organized

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Not necessary

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Wait…

This is the information I need!

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In other words...

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Design isn’t (only) making things pretty.

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Design is how things work.

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Bad design kills people.

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Health literacy matters.

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9 in 10 Americans have limited health literacy

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Courtesy of CommunicateHealth

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v  

v  

Courtesy of CommunicateHealth

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What can we do?

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What can we do? Write in plain language!

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What can we do? Write in plain language! Design clearer information!

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Design 101

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Audience Who are they? What are their needs?

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Goals What do they need to know? What’s your main message?

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Hierarchy What’s the order in which they need to know the information?

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Call to Action What do they need to do next?

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Choosing a Font

Comic Sans   Helvetica  

Times New Roman  Apply for CalFresh

Apply for CalFresh

Papyrus  Apply for CalFresh

Apply for CalFresh!Sans Serif  

Serif  

These fonts are harder to read.  

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Choosing a Font

Montserrat   Calibri  

Source Sans   Mission Gothic  Apply for CalFresh Apply for CalFresh

Apply for CalFresh Apply  for  CalFresh  

Sans serif fonts are usually easier to read.  

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12-16 pt: paragraph/body text  

Font Size (Print)

22-48 pt: headers  

8-11 pt: honey I shrunk the type!  

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Line Length

Medi-Cal eligibility is now simpler than ever. For most individuals, Medi-Cal eligibility will be based on your household size and your income. Medi-Cal will also attempt to verify your information electronically so you may be found eligible for benefits without ever having to provide paper verifications.

Medi-Cal eligibility is now simpler than ever. For most individuals, Medi-Cal eligibility will be based on your household size and your income. Medi-Cal will also attempt to verify your information electronically so you may be found eligible for benefits without ever having to provide paper verifications.

20+ words per line: too long  

10-15 words per line: just right  

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Line Spacing

1 / 100%: so tight  

1.2-1.4 / 120%-140%: ahh, breathing room  

Medi-Cal eligibility is now simpler than ever. For most individuals, Medi-Cal eligibility will be based on your household size and your income. Medi-Cal will also attempt to verify your information electronically so you may be found eligible for benefits without ever having to provide paper verifications.

Medi-Cal eligibility is now simpler than ever. For most individuals, Medi-Cal eligibility will be based on your household size and your income. Medi-Cal will also attempt to verify your information electronically so you may be found eligible for benefits without ever having to provide paper verifications.

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Hierarchy

Apply for Medi-Cal  Frequently Asked Questions  

Covered California will act as a “one-stop shop” for health insurance.  How does Covered California work with Medi-Cal?  

Not enough  

Too much  

Juuuust right  

Apply for Medi-Cal Frequently Asked Questions

Covered California will act as a “one-stop shop” for health insurance. How does Covered California work with Medi-Cal?

Apply for Medi-Cal Frequently Asked Questions

Covered California will act as a “one-stop shop” for health insurance. How does Covered California work with Medi-Cal?

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Layout

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Summary

Apply for Medi-Cal Frequently Asked Questions

Covered California will act as a “one-stop shop” for health insurance.

How does Covered California work with Medi-Cal?

Medi-Cal eligibility is now simpler than ever. For most individuals, Medi-Cal eligibility will be based on your household size and your income.

Sans Serif

Make it big! 12-16 pt for body text  

10-15 words per line 1.2-1.4 spacing  

Fonts

Font Size

Line Length & Spacing

Hierarchy

Layout Keep it simple  

Create a clear path for the eye to follow  

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Questions? Y’all are design experts already, I know it.

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Teardown time!

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Who’s the audience? What is the main message? How should the information be organized? What’s the call to action? What would you do differently?

Circle it! Draw on it! Mark it up! Sketch something new!

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Build up time!

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Go forth and redesign all the things!

You can design. Molly McLeod molly@codeforamerica.org