Which Data Visualization Training Format Is Right for Me?

Data visualization is an interdisciplinary field in which graphical representations of data are created. These visualizations are then shared with audience members to easily access and understand key data findings, such as trends, patterns, correlations, and outliers. This information is used by the organization to aid in the decision-making process. When comparing types of data visualization training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the proper training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of data visualization training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

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 and have a range of applications for sharing data-driven insights with an organization’s internal and external stakeholders. Because an estimated 65% of the population comprises visual learners, data visualization provides a way to quickly and effectively convey data findings. Even though data visualization takes many forms, it shares the common goal of communicating otherwise complex data insights in a memorable and understandable way, even for those who don’t come from a technical background.

Each day, 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are being created, which continues to grow exponentially. This increase in the amount of data has created a corresponding need for visualization practices to share the insights these numbers contain. Data visualization has a variety of uses across industries and professions. It has applications for describing trends or patterns hidden in data and communicating organizational structures or hierarchies. The data visualization process is typically broken into four purposes: 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?

Those with the skills to create engaging and effective data visualizations have the power to communicate detailed data insights and findings to audience members from all backgrounds. Data visualizations provide a concise and interactive way to depict data trends. Visualizations incorporate color and contrast to present information like sales patterns so that audience members can quickly observe information that may be difficult to see from a graph or spreadsheet. In addition, another benefit of working with data visualizations is that they can provide perspective on the data by placing it in the context of a larger story, which can help audience members understand the information as it relates to an organization’s overall goals or bottom line. Context plays an integral role in helping audiences understand the entirety of the data being depicted, which would be difficult to convey by listing numbers in a table.

Data visualization also provides a better understanding of a business’s operations. Running a business requires staying on top of many moving parts, and data visualizations provide a tool that can depict multifaceted operations and how different business activities connect. Moreover, analyzing and visualizing data provides insights into important business metrics that can lead to smoother daily operations and more successful project execution. For organizations that sell products or services to customers, data visualizations offer crucial insights into customers’ preferences, demographics, and shopping patterns. They provide a way for organizations to use customer-focused data to explore brand perception, customer sentiments, and even what customers post about the product or service on social media outlets. Businesses can then use these insights to tailor marketing strategies and brand outreach.

In addition to providing customer insights and depicting important trends in the data, visualizations also tell a story. Information is presented in an easy-to-understand format, and the audience is taken on a journey that leads to an inevitable, data-driven conclusion. Just like a written story, a visual story has a strong beginning, a basic plot, and an ending that looks into the future, providing recommendations for how to move forward. Instead of requiring tens of thousands of words to tell this story, data visualizations can do so with a series of well-placed infographics, carefully worded labels, and brief descriptions of the content, all of which tell the story of data in the larger context of an organization’s needs and goals. 

Training Formats for Data Visualization

Learning data visualization is easier than ever, thanks to the variety of learning options available. Those interested in developing the skills to visualize data can study online with self-paced materials such as YouTube videos, tutorials, webinars, and classwork. In addition, live online courses are also offered for those interested in connecting with an instructor in real time but still having the flexibility to work from home. For extroverted learners, in-person data visualization courses provide access to a computer lab and an expert instructor.

In-Person Data Visualization Training

In-person data visualization training is an engaging and interactive way to study this field. It provides a way for students to connect with other learners in the traditional classroom environment and gives them access to an expert instructor who’s there to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with complex concepts. In-person study also includes a computer lab with the most up-to-date software and programs already installed. One consideration of in-person study is that it requires commuting to and from campus for regularly scheduled meetings. This may require taking off work, as well as an additional financial commitment of travel and parking. 

A variety of in-person data visualization classes are currently listed by top educational providers. Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is an excellent option for aspiring Business Analysts or Data Analysts. In this rigorous, hands-on course, participants work with in-demand skills, such as statistical analysis, data visualization, and database querying. All participants have the option of a free course retake and access to one-on-one mentoring included with tuition. Noble also offers an in-person Data Science Certificate, a beginner-friendly program that prepares participants for a career in data science or data analytics. Those enrolled receive instruction on manipulating databases, using Python’s extensive data science libraries for data analysis, and creating machine learning algorithms and models. 

Individuals interested in learning how to use Excel to analyze and visualize data may consider NYIM Training’s Excel for Business Bootcamp or Excel for Business Fundamentals. In addition, NYC Career Centers has several Tableau-related in-person classes available, such as Tableau Level 1, Tableau Level 2, and Tableau Bootcamp.

Live Online Data Visualization Training

Another excellent way to learn data visualization is in the live online format. Like in-person study, live online coursework provides an interactive, engaging platform for receiving hands-on data visualization training from industry experts. Participants have access to an instructor in real-time, which means they can ask questions and receive guidance as they learn core data visualization concepts. Since students can complete live online study remotely from the comfort of any home or office, it doesn’t require commuting to and from campus or battling rush-hour traffic to attend class. However, since this study format requires that students attend regularly scheduled meetings, those interested in live online data visualization classwork may still need to take time off work for class.

If you want to study data visualization in the live online format, many excellent learning options are available from top educational providers. Live online data visualization classes are offered in various topics, such as using Excel in business, Python for data science, machine learning, and Tableau. Noble Desktop has a live online Data Analytics Certificate, a project-based course in which students learn how to work with predictive analytics tools like forecasting and regression models, as well as prescriptive analytics tools like Solver and Scenario Manager. 

Noble also has a live online Python Machine Learning Bootcamp designed to teach students machine learning techniques for creating algorithms that can independently make decisions and identify patterns. In addition to the classes available from Noble, other courses are listed, such as Skillspire’s Intro to Data Analytics and its Deluxe Data Analytics Track. Ledet Training also offers Tableau 101, a beginner-friendly course that covers workflow management, data breakdowns, and guided data presentation. 

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

If you’re looking for an overview of data visualization rather than a time-intensive course, you can start learning to visualize data for free online. Noble Desktop offers a free data science webinar, which provides 80 minutes of instruction on the various applications of Python in the field of data science. Participants also receive a general overview of the field of data science, including the various skills required to be a Data Scientist and how to apply them to real-world data. This beginner-friendly video is a great first step for learners before they dive into a data science class or certificate program.

In addition to Noble’s free data science webinar, other top educational providers offer free beginner-friendly content on visualizing data. edX’s Introduction to Data Analysis Using Excel prepares learners to perform data analysis using Excel features. Students also receive instructions on creating PivotTables. Those interested in learning how to create data visualizations with Microsoft Power BI can enroll in Udemy’s Data Visualization with Power BI, which teaches learners how to create reports to convey data findings. Coursera’s Data Visualization is another free learning option. Participants in this 15-hour class receive instruction on data mining and pattern-based data classification.

Read more about free data visualization videos and online tutorials. 

On-Demand Classes

If you’re interested in learning data visualization but cannot commit to regularly scheduled class meetings, another learning option is to select from various self-paced data visualization courses. Because content is pre-recorded, students can watch lessons and complete assignments at any time of the day from any location. In addition, asynchronous data visualization study also has the added perk of allowing learners to pause videos at any point, rewind, or rewatch as often as necessary, which facilitates note-taking and retention. 

Noble Desktop’s Get Started in Data Science is a free seminar that offers participants an overview of the field of data science. This recording includes instructions on Python programming, as well as why Python is becoming the language of data. All participants will also learn about the process of data science, the skills used by Data Scientists, and various real-world applications for these skills. 

Comparison of Data Visualization Training Formats

Deciding which data visualization training method is the right match for you depends on various factors. The good news is that there are many excellent training options in both the in-person and online formats to help you learn more about visualizing data. For those interested in studying data visualization in a traditional classroom environment, in-person study is an excellent option. This engaging format provides hands-on training from industry professionals. Students can access an instructor available at every meeting to answer questions and provide support. In addition, this learning format facilitates networking with other classmates, a benefit that is likely to extend beyond the classroom. Participants have access to a computer lab that offers the most up-to-date software.

Live online data visualization study is another effective and interactive way to learn data visualization. Similar to in-person study, those in live online classes connect with an instructor in real time, which provides immediate answers to questions and guidance on challenging concepts. Participants in live online data visualization classes have the added perk of being able to complete all coursework remotely. This means they don’t have to battle rush-hour traffic or search for parking to attend class; instead, they can finish lessons from the comfort of their home or office space.

For learners who must balance their study of data visualization with other commitments, such as family events or full-time employment, self-paced learning options are also available. On-demand content, like tutorials, webinars, YouTube channels, and community forums, provides a flexible, accessible method for learning to visualize data. Since content is pre-recorded, it can be accessed from any location, watched at any time, and paused and rewound as often as necessary to facilitate note-taking. In addition, asynchronous materials are often much more affordable than regularly meeting courses. Some online content is even available for free. 

However, it’s important to note that information on data visualization can quickly become outdated. That’s why choosing a reputable educational provider and selecting lessons on the most up-to-date tools, and software is essential. Additionally, since participants don’t have access to an instructor, on-demand data visualization study can be challenging, particularly with more advanced concepts. Often, this learning format provides a good starting point, but more structured learning options may be necessary to help you master advanced data visualization procedures.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself Data Visualization?

If you are considering how best to learn data visualization, one option you may consider is teaching yourself this in-demand skill. Various online resources and content are available related to data visualization, so it’s possible to start learning fundamental concepts by watching webinars and YouTube videos and following along with tutorials. One of the benefits of asynchronous course materials, such as videos and tutorials, is that they’re pre-recorded, which means students can access them at any time and from any location. This allows learners to balance their data visualization study with work and family commitments.

An important consideration for those interested in learning data visualization through self-paced study options is that they do not provide access to an instructor. This means that if you have a question about what you’re reading or watching or are confused about how to work with a tool like Tableau for creating a dashboard, you won’t be able to receive clarification. This can make it challenging to master more complex visualization concepts. This is why if you want to learn data visualization for professional reasons or need to master more advanced visualization techniques, having an expert instructor available can make learning and retaining important information much easier. 

In addition, since so much self-paced study material is available online, it can be challenging to decide which is the most reliable and up-to-date. Some may be dated or even incorrect. That’s why selecting content from reputable educational providers is essential if you get started learning data visualization with online tutorials and videos. 

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn Data Visualization

A variety of learning options are available in person and online for those interested in studying data visualization. If you’re new to working with data, you may wish to get a basic overview of data visualization by taking a free introductory-level class or exploring online tutorials and resources. One of the main benefits of this form of study is that it’s generally pre-recorded, which means students can access course materials and content at any time, from any location. Free online data visualization classes also afford the flexibility of allowing students to complete coursework around full-time work. 

In addition, free resources don’t require any financial commitment, which means you can get started learning data visualization without committing to an entire course of study, which can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. A great free resource for those interested in learning about data science is Noble Desktop’s Getting Started in Data Science, an 80-minute webinar that covers core data science concepts and tools, as well as their applications in the business world. 

For learners who may be interested in developing a solid working knowledge of data visualization to grow within a current career or to plug a skill gap, data visualization bootcamps can provide this instruction. Noble’s in-person or live online Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp is one such learning option. Those enrolled in this hands-on class receive expert instruction on fundamental data visualization practices and tools used in Tableau Public. Participants learn how to analyze, filter, and organize data and customize visualizations based on data findings. Because this course is taught in real-time, an instructor is available to answer questions and provide guidance. All students have the option of a free course retake for up to one year to revisit content.

Another excellent way of learning data visualization is to enroll in certificate study. Certificate programs provide comprehensive data visualization training to help individuals pursue a new career or pivot to an entirely different industry. These rigorous programs provide real-world training in a variety of data-related concepts. Noble’s in-person or live online Data Analytics Certificate is a project-based course in which students complete multiple real-world projects using predictive and prescriptive analytics. By course completion, those enrolled will have a solid understanding of collecting, wrangling, analyzing, and visualizing data. 

Learn Data Visualization with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

If you’re interested in studying data visualization, Noble Desktop offers several in-person and live online courses that provide hands-on training. For those who wish to work with Tableau for visualizing data, Noble’s Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp is an excellent option. Participants receive an overview of the field of data visualization and learn about Tableau Public’s visualization tools. By course completion, students will have a solid understanding of identifying which datasets to connect to and how to analyze, filter, and organize data to make customized, publishable visualizations. This course also offers the option of a free retake for those interested in revisiting Tableau concepts. 

Noble’s in-person or live online Data Analytics Certificate is another good learning option for those seeking a more intensive study option. This rigorous program provides expert instruction on various data analytics concepts and prepares learners to become Business Analysts or Data Analysts. By course completion, all participants will be familiar with core business intelligence, statistical analysis, data analysis, and data visualization concepts. This is a project-based course in which students will complete various real-world projects using prescriptive and predictive analytics. All students receive one-on-one mentoring as part of tuition.

In addition, other in-person and live online data visualization courses are also available from Noble Desktop. Those who wish to learn the tools to become Data Scientists may consider enrolling in Noble’s Data Science Certificate, which covers machine learning, automation, SQL, and Python. A Python for Data Science Bootcamp covers fundamental and complex Python programming concepts, such as creating programs and using statistics to make machine learning models. 

The Excel Bootcamp is also available, which teaches core spreadsheet functions like working with macros, formulas, and PivotTables. Finally, those interested in working with SQL to extract information from databases can enroll in Noble’s SQL Bootcamp. This course prepares learners to write queries, aggregate data, and filter results using Postgre SQL.