Portfolio story · Building Making Canada’s health data easier to explore
2022-2023
I helped Canadians access complex public health information more easily by redesigning the Health Infobase landing page and creating a design manual that improved clarity and consistency for years to come.
Context
- The Health Infobase is a key Government of Canada platform for public health data (e.g., chronic diseases, mental health, COVID-19).
- Over time, the landing page became cluttered and dated, with dozens of competing links and no clear information hierarchy.
- Users — including researchers, policymakers, and the public — struggled to find the data they needed.
- Updates were being made without a consistent design approach, creating risks for accessibility and usability.
My role
- Conducted a rapid assessment of the landing page using analytics, content review, and UX heuristics.
- Redesigned the landing page to reduce clutter, highlight priority topics, and improve readability.
- Conducted unmoderated usability testing to improve the redesign before launch
- Created a lightweight **design manual **(principles, ideas and patterns) for health data products.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts and web publishing staff to align on priorities and content placement.
Impact
- The redesign improved alignment with Canada.ca standards and user expectations.
- The design manual was adopted as a reference tool, improving consistency across future updates.
- Set a precedent for pairing tactical design fixes with sustainable, system-level improvements.
What I learned
- Even small, tactical interventions can deliver lasting systemic impact if paired with guidance.
- Creating a clear framework (manual) helps prevent regression when multiple teams touch the same content.
- Success comes from balancing quick wins with long-term stewardship.