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Ryan Orban, Chris Saden, and Jonathan Dinu

Take Udacity's free D3.js online course and learn the fundamentals of data visualization. Apply design and narrative concepts to create your own visualization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Discover exploratory and explanatory data visualizations, identify data types and learn effective ways to encode your data.
Get started with visualizations on the web using html, javascript, css and d3.js.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers a range of chart types, focusing on human perception of visualization
Explores exploratory and explanatory data visualizations, giving learners a foundation in data visualization
Utilizes industry-standard tools and techniques, including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, and d3.js
Provides hands-on experience with building visualizations using D3.js
Develops skills in organizing and presenting data stories
Suitable for learners with a basic understanding of data analysis and visualization

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Reviews summary

Fundamentals of data visualization with d3

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in data visualization principles and introduces the basics of using D3.js for web-based visualizations. Students particularly praise the hands-on projects, which they found practical and engaging. While the course offers a clear overview of core concepts and tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Dimple.js before diving into D3, a significant point raised is that the D3.js content primarily uses older versions (v3), making some aspects outdated compared to current practices (v4+). This means learners may need to supplement the material with newer resources for modern D3 development.
Covers HTML, CSS, JS, helpful for beginners.
"I liked the review of html, css, and JavaScript."
"It was helpful that they covered the basics of the web technologies needed first."
"Even though I knew some JS, the refresher was useful."
"A good intro to HTML, CSS, and JS for those new to web dev."
Instructors explain concepts clearly.
"The instructors explained the topics very clearly."
"I found the teaching style easy to follow."
"Instructors are knowledgeable and good at explaining."
"The lectures were well-delivered."
Provides a strong base in data visualization.
"The data viz theory portion is excellent."
"I feel like I got a really solid grasp of the fundamentals of data visualization."
"It gave me a strong foundation on the basics of data viz..."
"I now understand core data visualization principles better."
Hands-on activities are engaging and helpful.
"The assignments were engaging and I love that they challenged me and that I got to do a final project."
"I like that the projects are very hands on. This is where I learned the most."
"The final project really helped solidify my understanding."
"The hands-on coding and projects are the strongest part of the course for me."
Course is not fully standalone for modern D3.
"This is a good starting point, but don't expect it to be all you need for modern D3."
"Due to the outdated D3 content, I had to look up external resources."
"You'll need to consult the D3 documentation and other tutorials for newer versions."
"I needed other resources to understand D3 v4 and beyond."
Uses older D3 version, requiring updates.
"This course was last updated in 2016 and consequently uses D3 v3..."
"It would be useful to have this course updated to D3 v4 or later."
"The material on D3.js is rather old now - v3, when v5 is current."
"Much of the D3 portion is outdated due to version changes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Data Visualization and D3.js with these activities:
Review HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Brush up on your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript knowledge to enhance your starting point for D3.js.
Browse courses on HTML
Show steps
  • Go through online tutorials
  • Revisit your notes or course materials
  • Solve practice problems or coding challenges
Explore D3.js Examples
Start exploring and interacting with D3.js examples to familiarize yourself with the basics of data visualization before the class starts.
Show steps
  • Visit the D3.js Gallery
  • Browse through various examples
  • Inspect the code and play with the interactive visualizations
Organize Course Materials
Organize your notes, assignments, and resources for easy access and improved retention.
Show steps
  • Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course
  • Regularly add and organize your materials
  • Review your materials periodically to reinforce your learning
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Build a Simple Bar Chart
Create a simple bar chart to solidify your understanding of data visualization and D3.js.
Browse courses on Data Visualization
Show steps
  • Gather data and decide on the appropriate chart type
  • Set up a basic D3.js framework and import your data
  • Use D3.js scales and axes to create the visualization
  • Add labels, titles, and a legend to enhance the chart
Solve D3.js Coding Challenges
Work through coding challenges to strengthen your problem-solving skills and deepen your understanding of D3.js.
Browse courses on D3.js
Show steps
  • Find coding challenges online or in resources like D3.js books
  • Attempt to solve the challenges on your own
  • Review solutions and discuss your approach with peers or mentors
Join a Study Group
Engage with peers in discussions and collaborative projects to reinforce your understanding and broaden your perspectives.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create one with classmates
  • Meet regularly to discuss course concepts, assignments, and projects
  • Collaborate on projects and provide feedback to each other
Contribute to D3.js Community
Contribute to the D3.js community by reporting bugs, suggesting improvements, or creating new features to deepen your understanding.
Browse courses on D3.js
Show steps
  • Explore the D3.js GitHub repository
  • Identify an issue or potential improvement
  • Fork the repository and create a pull request with your proposed changes

Career center

Learners who complete Data Visualization and D3.js will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Data Visualization Engineer
As a Data Visualization Engineer, you will design and implement data visualization solutions. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to create interactive and dynamic visualizations that effectively communicate data insights.
Data Journalist
As a Data Journalist, you will use data to tell stories and inform the public. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create compelling and engaging stories that effectively communicate complex data to a wide audience.
Data Scientist
As a Data Scientist, you will use scientific methods and statistical techniques to extract knowledge from data. This course can help you gain a deeper understanding of data visualization principles and techniques, which is essential for communicating your findings to a wide range of audiences.
UX Designer
As a UX Designer, you will design user interfaces for websites and applications. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create user experiences that are visually appealing and easy to use.
Marketing Analyst
As a Marketing Analyst, you will analyze data to understand customer behavior and trends. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create compelling and persuasive presentations that effectively communicate your findings.
Data Analyst
As a Data Analyst, you will gather, clean, and analyze data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to visualize data in a way that is easy to understand and interpret, which is valuable for communicating insights to stakeholders.
Information Architect
As an Information Architect, you will design and organize websites and applications to make them easy to find and use. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create intuitive and user-friendly information architectures.
Software Engineer
As a Software Engineer, you will use mathematical principles and software development methodologies to create, implement, test, and maintain software applications. By learning how to visualize data effectively, you can create software that solves real-world problems and meets user needs.
Web Developer
As a Web Developer, you will design, develop, and maintain websites and web applications. This course can help you learn how to use D3.js to create interactive and dynamic data visualizations that enhance the user experience.
Business Analyst
As a Business Analyst, you will analyze business processes and data to identify areas for improvement. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create clear and concise reports that effectively communicate your findings and recommendations.
Financial Analyst
As a Financial Analyst, you will analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to create clear and concise charts and graphs that effectively communicate your findings to clients.
Product Manager
As a Product Manager, you will manage the development and launch of new products. This course can help you learn how to use data visualization to make informed decisions about product design, marketing, and sales.
Quantitative Analyst
As a Quantitative Analyst, you will use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data. This course may help you build a foundation in data visualization principles and techniques, which can be useful for communicating your findings to a wide range of audiences.
Academic Researcher
As an Academic Researcher, you will conduct research and publish your findings in academic journals. This course may help you build a foundation in data visualization principles and techniques, which can be useful for communicating your findings to a wide range of audiences.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Data Visualization and D3.js.
Is written specifically for the d3.js visualization library used in the class. It comprehensive book about the d3.js library that will help you go beyond the basics of the library and create more powerful data visualizations.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data visualization principles and techniques. It good reference for learning more about the theory and practice of data visualization.
Classic in the field of data visualization. It provides a detailed discussion of the principles of data visualization and how to create effective visualizations.
Tutorial for the d3.js visualization library. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating data visualizations with d3.js.
Guide to the ggplot2 package for R. ggplot2 powerful data visualization library that can be used to create a wide variety of visualizations.
Provides a practical guide to creating effective data visualizations. It good resource for learning how to choose the right chart type for your data and how to design visualizations that are clear and easy to understand.
Beginner's guide to data visualization. It provides a step-by-step guide to creating data visualizations using a variety of tools.
Provides a guide to using R Markdown to create data-driven documents. R Markdown tool that can be used to create reports, presentations, and websites that include data visualizations.
Provides a guide to creating visualizations of time-oriented data. Time-oriented data is data that is collected over time, such as stock prices or weather data.
Provides a guide to creating data visualizations in JavaScript. It good resource for learning how to use JavaScript to create interactive and responsive data visualizations.

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