Data Visualization for Public Health
Amanda Makulec, MPH
Data viz expert, founder, author
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Public health charts need to be accurate and engaging, but often fall flat.
The charts we create as public health professionals shape behaviors, programs, and policies. Why do so many charts feel stuck in the realm of Excel design defaults?
Our data deserves better. During this workshop, you'll learn how to think like a designer and craft charts that communicate clearly. You'll learn a three part framework you can apply to any chart you create and learn about the seemingly small design decisions that transform a graphic.
Unlike other workshops on generic data viz design principles, this session will be packed with public health examples using real data and use cases, and include conversations around the sticky challenges we have communicating public health information.
You'll leave with new skills you can apply to your next chart, and resources for continuing your data visualization design learning journey.
Workshop agenda
- 11:00AM EDT
Welcome and expectation setting
Quick introductions and expectation setting for the two hour workshop
- 11:10AM EDT
Data visualization fundamentals
Learn to speak the language of data, and the science behind why we love charts. We'll cover preattentive attributes, Gestalt principles, and chart types suited to common public health data stories.
- 11:30AM EDT
Activity: A / B Chart Testing
We'll review pairs of charts designed to communicate a specific data story, voting on which one we think better suits the use case and discussing why.
- 11:45AM EDT
Chart Formatting: Three ways to improve every chart you make
Learn a three step framework for improving every chart you create, with before and after examples that highlight how customizing away from the design defaults creates more effective graphics.
- 12:00PM EDT
Break
Program pause for a biobreak, since two hours can feel like a long time in front of the computer.
- 12:10PM EDT
Demo: Redesigning charts in Excel
Excel is one of the most common data visualization programs used in public health. We'll demo through how to apply the three part framework for effective chart formatting in practice.
- 12:30PM EDT
Activity: Chart Design Critique
Back on Mural, you'll identify at least three changes to make to improve how a chart is formatted, using pairs of black and white charts and key headlines.
- 12:45PM EDT
Q&A
We'll wrap up with your questions, including capturing requests for additional resources to be shared through the course portal.
- 1:00PM EDT
Workshop ends
Wrap up and farewell!
Learn directly from Amanda
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Amanda Makulec, MPH
Author, public health professional, and data visualization expert
Who this workshop is for
Public health analysts and monitoring and evaluation professionals who routinely create charts in their work.
Public health communication professionals looking to build their data visualization skills for infographic and social share charts
Researchers who want to create charts to communicate findings to wider audiences
What's included
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Live sessions
Learn directly from Amanda Makulec, MPH in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to, including the live demo around how to put design recommendations into practice.
Community of peers
Share insights with other public health professionals and learn from their experiences.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
Maven Guarantee
Your purchase is backed by the Maven Guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
$250
USD