Data Visualization & Creative Reporting met my original expectations in nearly every sense. I have gained experience in explaining complex systems and presenting complex results to diverse audiences. I have learned to develop effective visualizations and infographics. More importantly, I have learned that telling a story with visualizations can be the most effective way to tell a story. My perceptions have expanded to understand how numbers can in fact tell a story. Likewise, I have learned that doing so effectively is a skill that takes much practice. I have also learned to develop dashboards.
I did not feel my skill set was up to par when entering this course. Therefore, I have completed three (3) Lynda training courses and obtained certifications for Tableau, Visio, and R in Excel. This has proved very helpful. I am very enthralled by creative reporting and visual information design. This course has initiated discovery into career possibilities in this realm. I have always had a pent up creative side, that my left (logical) brain tends to get in the way of professionally. Being able to connect and manifest both sides of my brain in creatively storytelling of complex, logical concepts is perfect for me.
I did have unrealistic expectations of user interface/experience design, web-based reporting, and software applications. I now understand how this is outside the scope of this course. I will be furthering my R education on Lynda as well as learning Python programming to aid in visual reporting. Moreover, I am registered for several free Tableau webinars that I highly recommend. The Tableau website offers a plethora of learning opportunities.
This course has been beyond valuable already! I have leveraged my experience and education in the classroom, I have been of greater value to my consulting clients, and I have leveraged my freelance business using visual reporting methods. The possibilities are truly endless and my application for the skillset is compounding daily in thought and practice. I am excited to delve into expanding possibilities and am grateful I have this presentation capability to apply to my capstone and job search after graduation.
