Data visualization is the practice of representing data or information with visuals like graphs, animations, charts, and maps. Visualizing data helps provide a clear picture of any patterns, trends, outliers, or other significant data findings in a way that can be easily understood by a non-technical audience. Once you’ve decided to learn data visualization, the next important question is selecting how you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their data visualization training. To discover more about the different data visualization training options, and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Data Visualization?

Data visualization uses graphics like plots, charts, or animations to represent data findings. These visual depictions communicate complicated data relationships in an accessible and engaging format to an organization’s internal and external stakeholders, even for those who don’t come from a technical background.

Data visualization has applications across industries and professions, from data analytics to business intelligence. The data visualization process is typically broken into four goals: to generate ideas, to illustrate concepts, to provide avenues into visual discovery, and to convey data in the form of visualizations.

Read more about what data visualization is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with Data Visualization Skills?

Data visualization provides a concise and interactive way to depict data trends. Visualizations incorporate design techniques like color and contrast so audience members can access information that may otherwise be difficult to comprehend. Data visualization can provide a better understanding of a business’s operations and how activities connect. It offers insights into important business metrics that can lead to smoother daily operations and successful project execution. Data visualization conveys specific insights into customers’ preferences, demographics, and shopping patterns. The information is presented in an easy-to-understand format, and the audience is taken on a journey that leads to a data-driven conclusion. 

Why Training Format Matters

Choosing a training format for data visualization studies is an important first step in your learning path. When making this decision, it’s important to consider several key factors, such as your reasons for learning data visualization, your current availability to attend in-person classes, and whether you prefer learning in the in-person or virtual format. The good news is that a range of training options is available for those just getting started visualizing data, as well as more advanced students interested in mastering complex visualization concepts.

Types of Training Formats

In-person data visualization coursework is currently available for learners who thrive in the traditional learning environment. Virtual study options are also offered, such as live online study and self-paced coursework, for aspiring data professionals who prefer to learn remotely. The following sections will take a brief look at each available training format, as well as some of the benefits and drawbacks of each format.

Live In-Person Classes

In-person study options are the most interactive and engaging way to study data visualization. Participants in live, in-person learning classes meet in a computer lab with the most current tools and software for analyzing and visualizing data. Those who wish to study in person receive training from an expert instructor who’s onsite and ready to answer questions and help with difficult concepts. Students can also network with other learners, which offers many potential professional benefits. In-person data visualization study does require commuting to and from class regularly for meetings, which may mean taking time off work and spending additional money on transportation. If your current schedule provides the flexibility for this kind of learning, in-person coursework is an excellent way for extroverted learners to gain hands-on training in visualizing data. 

Live Online Classes

If you are interested in live data visualization instruction but aren’t able to attend study in the in-person format, live online coursework is an excellent alternative. Live training allows students to connect in real-time with an expert instructor. Participants can receive individualized support and even share their screen with the instructor (with permission) for additional help. Instead of having to battle rush-hour traffic or waste time searching for parking for each class meeting, live online data visualization training can be completed remotely from your home or office. This provides flexibility for those whose work schedules or other commitments may prohibit attending in-person study, or who do not live near a major city with a learning facility. Although live online data visualization classes require participants to attend regularly scheduled meetings, no time is wasted getting to and from class, and all your efforts can be devoted entirely to your studies.

On-Demand Classes

The most flexible way to study data visualization is in the on-demand format. Unlike live online study, which meets in real-time, students complete all coursework at their own pace. This allows students to balance their data visualization study around other personal and professional commitments, such as full-time work, travel, and family. Classwork can be completed at any time of the day, from any place in the world, so long as you have a good internet connection.

One important consideration of on-demand coursework is that it doesn’t provide you with access to an instructor. Since the course content is typically pre-recorded, you won’t be able to ask questions or seek additional guidance on challenging data visualization skills. This is why on-demand study is a good option for individuals who wish to learn the basics of visualizing data or seek a general overview of this topic. However, if you’re interested in learning data visualization for professional reasons, you may wish to enroll in a more structured learning format.

Free Courses

A great starting point for your data visualization study is free coursework. Many top educational providers, such as Udemy, Udacity, and Coursera, provide free, pre-recorded content for those looking to learn data visualization. Free courses vary in length; some can be completed in just an hour or so, whereas others require days or weeks to finish. In addition, you can choose from free coursework that provides a general overview of data visualization, or you can select training materials that teach a specific tool, such as Excel or Tableau. Since there is no cost associated with free data visualization classes, they provide a good way to get started learning the basics of this topic. For those who need to learn to visualize data for a work project or professional development, coursework that provides access to a live instructor, such as in-person or live online training, may be a better option.

Depth of Training Formats

In addition to deciding whether to study data visualization in-person or online and whether to learn this skill in the live online or the self-paced format, you also will need to consider the depth of study you’re seeking. The following sections will explore the depth of training provided by certificate programs, training bootcamps, and introductory-level classes so you can select the one most appropriate for your learning path.

Certificate Programs 

Certificate programs in data visualization are extended programs that often span several weeks or months. These rigorous courses are geared toward professionals interested in gaining the skills they need to perform their job more effectively or to pursue a new career path entirely. Certificate programs are the most intensive form of data visualization training available outside of four-year college study. An expert instructor with real-world data experience leads each class and provides hands-on data visualization training. Although certificate study can cost several thousand or more dollars, along with this cost comes a range of benefits, such as professional development, career counseling, and other perks, depending on the educator.

Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is available in the in-person and live online format. Students learn a range of data analytics and visualization skills, such as how to work with SQL and Python, as well as Tableau and Excel.

Training Bootcamps

If you’re interested in learning to visualize data but wish for a shorter, more focused study regimen, training bootcamps are an excellent option. Unlike certificate programs, which may include instruction on various data analytics and visualization tools and skills, bootcamps generally provide instruction on one software or tool, such as Excel or Tableau. These courses can be completed in just days or weeks, which makes them an effective way for professionals to learn a specific data visualization skill for work. Bootcamps are often a more affordable option than certificate study; most cost several hundred to several thousand dollars. Students who wish to further tailor their data visualization learning path can begin with a bootcamp in one tool, then move onto another bootcamp once they’ve mastered that skill.

Noble’s Tableau Bootcamp teaches students how to work specifically with Tableau software for visualizing data. Participants in this short class learn how to manipulate data, format visualizations, and create customized charts using Tableau Public. 

Introductory Courses

If you’re just starting your data visualization learning path, an introductory-level course may be more your speed than a certificate or bootcamp. Introductory coursework provides a low-stakes way to learn basic data visualization concepts and skills, such as working with the Tableau interface, creating basic charts and graphs, and sharing your data findings with others. These courses are often much shorter in length than certificates or bootcamps; some can be completed in just hours or days. Cost is another incentive for beginner-level study. Introductory-level courses are available from top educators for just a few hundred dollars.

Tableau Level 1, which is available from Noble Desktop, provides beginner-friendly content for those who want to get started visualizing data. Students receive several hours of hands-on Tableau instruction in the small group setting and work with core skills like connecting to datasets and creating charts and graphs.

Learn Data Visualization Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop has in-person and live online data visualization training. Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp instructs students on how to use Tableau Public’s visualization tools. Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate teaches core business intelligence, statistics, data analysis, and data visualization concepts. 

Aspiring Data Scientists can enroll in Noble’s Data Science Certificate to study machine learning, automation, SQL, and Python. The Python for Data Science Bootcamp provides instruction on how to use statistics to make machine learning models. Noble’s Excel Bootcamp teaches fundamental spreadsheet functions, including macros, formulas, and PivotTables. Those interested in working with SQL can enroll in Noble’s SQL Bootcamp.

Key Insights

• Data visualization is an in-demand skill that allows you to convey complicated data insights in a visual manner, such as a chart or graph, that can be understood by an audience with no technical expertise.
• If you’re interested in studying data visualization, you can select from in-person and online training materials. In-person and live online study is led by an instructor in real-time. On-demand and free content is pre-recorded and can be completed at your own speed and from any location.
• Certificate programs provide the most comprehensive and rigorous form of data visualization study outside the college or university setting. Bootcamps offer a more focused learning regimen, focusing on one data visualization tool or program. Introductory classes are a low-stakes way to study data visualization basics in a relatively short timeframe.
• If you’re seeking comprehensive data visualization training, Noble Desktop offers in-person and live online coursework for beginners, intermediate, and advanced learners.