COVID Data Tracker

For three years during the COVID-19 Response, I was the sole UX designer on the Data Tracker team. My work was shaped by technical issues, current events, and high-level stakeholders, including those from the White House.

COVID Data Tracker home page with updated view to show new data, trends, and total data for the United States.

Displaying key data

I started by making small updates to a design created by epidemiologists. Over time, I built a relationship with the team, educating them about user experience and presenting larger improvement ideas.

My main enhancement was streamlining the display of key data like cases, deaths, and hospitalizations at the national, state, and county levels. I focused on making information easily accessible, allowing users to quickly find details relevant to their location, friends, or travel. I prioritized the most important information at the top of the page to reach the widest audience, enabling users to see local risk levels immediately.

Validating the design

After sharing my design with the White House COVID-19 Response Data Team, we created a prototype for user testing. I tested usability with 16 users on both mobile and desktop. Key findings include:

  • Users found the page easy to navigate and less overwhelming.

  • Clear headings indicated whether they were viewing national or specific local data.

  • They also liked the in-page navigation with anchor links and connections to other sections.