This was my first time visiting a site like ” Health Visualizations”. I really thought the creators used a great color popping technique and did not overcrowd the site. They made it organized and easy to articulate through to find the different links provided. For example, the Risk calculator tab was easy to find and actually located right in the center as you scroll down with an image / visualization clearly stating “cardiovascular risk” and a photo of a graph that calculates someone’s risks. I plugged in my actual data and got a <1% and then I played around with some numbers and doubled my weight and even added in that I had diabetes and really thought the risk calculation would change greatly. BUT IT DID NOT! It actually only rose from 1% to 2% in risk of cardiovascular disease. This was interesting information to see in actual recorded data.

Next, I clicked on the Icon Generator link and plugged in some data. I changed the title to “Diabetes Outcome”. I have a few family members, and even a friend whose daughter has Type I diabetes and has been living with it sine age 1 (now 6) y/o). So, it is a topic that interests me in knowing more about it with Health. I changed the color scheme of icons to something less harsh in my opinion to the eye and less crowded with the number of icons in the array. Here is what my icon generator looks like.

Overall, I found the website “Health Visualizations” helpful and easy to manage through. I know they mentioned this site was only a start and encouraged others to build off of this platform, but I think they really did a great job on explaining uncomfortable and unfamiliar terms in the health field to the viewer.

After visiting vizhealth.org I found a new perspective on how we can use scientific data to communicate health concerns to an audience. The website offers a pretty cool but limited interactive experience through their risk calculator. While it states that the risk assessment is only an estimation and shouldn’t be used for medical diagnosis it can certainly help bring to light a potential risk that maybe people didn’t realize was even a risk. I took some time and ran my own risk calculation and while I wasn’t expecting to be at risk a little reassurance never hurt anyone.

I think that this site is valuable to learning data visualizations. As it shows how a short questionnaire that requires the viewer to interact with then converts into a visual that is simple and easy for a person who has no medical background to understand. It also has an array generator that allows you to create your own. I took some time and created my own.

On the interactive infographic, I found that I have less than a 5% chance of developing heart disease within the coming years. Not only was I fully engaged during my time of inputting all the information, but that same attention carried over into reading the results.

The idea of creating an interactive infographic was incredible! The biggest problem with most static information is establishing the connection and sparking the interest from the author to the reader. By allowing for a dynamic source of information to vary based on the results inputted into it, it allows for the reader’s to stay focused longer and absorb information better!

Not only was the user experience informative and interactive, the infographics themselves would change depending on the information submitted to it, allowing the user to see where they stand against the numbers. While this exact website may only be used for medical purposes, the idea of turning an infographic, into a dynamic piece of information, is a monumental step in the way that information can be disseminated through it.

Additionally, the website allows users to create their own graphics to display information, such as survey counts and icon arrays. The following example is my own:

While it may be very rudimentary, the point of it remains the same. By allowing this information to be created by anyone, and still be accessible for everyone, it can help to usher in a new wave of how information can be disseminated! However, the potential for false information to be spread through this infographics still exist, so it is important to always conduct research or fact-check on whatever it may be that you have read!

Honeybees are the perfect topic for a striking infographic. These little pollinators are integral to the health of our ecosystems today. In this infographic, you can see a concise presentation of facts on the bottom, with large blocks of text near the bee species. A limited color palette prevents distractions. I feel there is too much text near the species, leading to distractions. The use of symbols helps to drive the infographic’s points home – the colored apples resemble the “1 out of every 3” point underneath it. This graphic is compact, sure, but this compaction takes away some breathing room for the viewer. Adding space could also be used to create more eye-catching visualizations. I’d still consider this a good infographic, but the bottom section focusing on data could maybe use a chart to represent the changes over time.

You can find the infographic here.

Infographics are powerful visual tools that can significantly enhance our ability to convey complex information in a more digestible and engaging manner. In an age where attention spans are shorter and information overload is common, the use of infographics has become increasingly important. They serve as a bridge between data and understanding, transforming intricate concepts into visually appealing representations that are easier for audiences to grasp.

There are various tools available for creating infographics, each designed to cater to different needs and skill levels. Popular platforms such as Canva, Piktochart, and Adobe Spark offer user-friendly interfaces that make the design process accessible to everyone, from beginners to seasoned graphic designers. These tools come equipped with a wide range of templates, allowing users to choose from pre-designed layouts that suit their specific content and style preferences. This not only saves time but also ensures that the final product is polished and professional. The platform known as Canva actually made a step-by-step video on how to make an infographic on their website, that video can be find at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36SIUe_mOZU.

One of the standout features of these infographic creation tools is their ability to easily incorporate various elements such as charts, images, and icons. This flexibility enables users to present data in a visually compelling way, making it simpler to highlight key points and trends. For instance, a complex set of statistics can be transformed into a clear bar graph or pie chart, while relevant images can provide context and enhance the overall narrative. Icons can also be used to symbolize ideas, making the information more relatable and memorable.

By utilizing infographics, we can significantly enhance our communication skills. Infographics not only make our presentations more visually appealing but also serve to clarify and emphasize the information we wish to convey. When information is presented in a structured and visually engaging format, it can lead to better understanding and retention among our audience. This is particularly important in educational settings, business presentations, and marketing campaigns, where the goal is to inform, persuade, or educate.

Infographics are more popular than ever and are a great way to communicate ideas without reading pages and pages of information. Creating an infographic may seem like a daunting task that could takes hours to complete. Some might question is it really worth it. Well, the data show’s it certainly is!

With Visme, creating infogrphics is simple and easy.