Information Design Choices Shaped by User Objectives

In the realm of information design, the goal is to transform raw data into relevant and meaningful information for users. This is particularly important when it comes to diabetes patients, who are often overwhelmed by the emotional process and insecurities surrounding their diagnosis.

When designing information for newly diagnosed diabetes patients, it's crucial to take into account their emotional journey. User goals for these patients are primarily directed towards acceptance and understanding of the general situation. Typical information leaflets from hospitals, which often start with a quick overview of causes, symptoms, and treatments, may not address the emotional needs of newly diagnosed patients.

As designers, our job is to help people find and understand patterns and trends that turn data into information. To achieve this, we need to understand user needs. This can be done by interviewing patients at different stages of treatment. Insights gained from these interviews can provide valuable insights into the information needs of diabetes patients from a patient's perspective.

Riccardo Mazza, an information visualization researcher, outlines five steps in designing an effective information visualization: define the problem, define the data to be represented, define the dimensions required to represent the data, define the structures of the data, and define the interaction required from the visualization.

A hierarchical structure, where users can select food types based on the course they're having, is more suitable for diabetes information visualization. This approach simplifies the process and reduces anxiety caused by overwhelming or confusing data presentations.

Data is not the same as information; data needs context and processing to become information. In healthcare, understanding the information patients need to perform their tasks is crucial in the design of information visualizations. The effects of food and drinks on blood sugar level are personal, supporting a choice for an interaction whereby the user can manipulate the data to personalize it.

To avoid information anxiety and effectively cater to user goals across contexts, focus on creating clear visual hierarchies, maintaining simplicity, and guiding users through a compelling data story tailored to their needs.

The key principles include:

Establish Clear Visual Hierarchy: Organize information so users see the most important data first, using layout, color, and typography to reduce cognitive load and direct attention smoothly.
Simplicity and Clarity: Keep designs simple and avoid clutter by grouping related data, using consistent color schemes limited to 2-3 hues, and applying whitespace effectively.
Data Storytelling: Begin with identifying the main message and craft a narrative flow through your visualization. Use progressive disclosure by revealing deeper insights interactively, helping users focus and not feel overloaded.
User-Centered Context: Understand user goals and context to tailor the visualization accordingly. Use prototyping and iteration to test and refine designs to ensure they meet usability and accessibility standards while aligning with user intent.

By combining these design principles—visual hierarchy, simplicity, narrative guidance, and user focus—visualizations become more intuitive, reduce anxiety, and empower users to make informed decisions easily across diverse contexts.

In the context of information design for diabetes patients, understanding their emotional journey is essential as user goals often revolve around acceptance and understanding of their situation.
Riccardo Mazza, an information visualization researcher, proposes five steps in designing effective information visualizations: defining the problem, data to be represented, the dimensions for representation, the data structures, and the required interaction.
A hierarchical structure for diabetes information visualization, allowing users to select food types based on the course they're having, simplifies the process and reduces anxiety caused by overwhelming or confusing data presentations.
Information design for diabetes patients should aim to transform raw data into personalized, relevant, and meaningful information, considering user needs through patient interviews at different stages of treatment.
Data needs context and processing to become information, and in healthcare, understanding the information patients need to perform their tasks is crucial in the design of information visualizations, such as learning about the effects of food and drinks on blood sugar levels.
To create an effective and intuitive information visualization, focus on establishing clear visual hierarchy, simplicity, data storytelling, and user-centered context, guiding users through a compelling data story tailored to their needs.
By combining these design principles, visualizations can reduce anxiety, empower users to make informed decisions, and cater to user goals effectively across diverse contexts, such as lifestyle choices, fashion and beauty, home and garden, education and self-development, and entertainment.