The Country Health Information Systems and Data Use (CHISU) program participates in about 20 conferences each year to share knowledge with public health professionals and partners. Posters are a key part of this effort, helping researchers communicate complex ideas visually, spark discussion, and connect with stakeholders.

When I joined CHISU, the team used a Google Slides template for accessibility across country offices. While this worked, the process was time-consuming and limited creative flexibility. I collaborated with our communications supervisor to redesign both the workflow and the visual system to make the process more efficient and impactful.

We introduced a new text-based template in Google Docs that guided teams through writing and editing with clear prompts and tracked feedback. I also redesigned the poster layout to create a cleaner, more modern look while keeping core brand elements like the “CHISU petals.” The updated design highlights key messages in color blocks, simplifies visual hierarchy, and allows flexibility for different types of research.

The new system streamlined production, improved visual consistency, and elevated CHISU’s presence at global conferences. The redesign was extremely well received by staff and researchers, who appreciated how much easier it became to create professional, on-brand posters.