Data Visualization That Speaks

Overview

A chart is an argument. This course teaches the principles of effective visual communication with data: choosing chart types, using colour and annotation with purpose, designing dashboards that people read, and presenting with a clear narrative. Exercises use free tools and your own datasets.

Level

Beginner

Language

English

Updated

Mar 2026

Free previews

2 lessons

What you'll learn

• Select the chart type that best answers a specific question
• Declutter visuals and direct attention with colour and annotation
• Design dashboards with a clear hierarchy of information
• Avoid misleading axes, scales and aggregations
• Present findings as a concise data story

Curriculum

Requirements

• Basic spreadsheet familiarity
• A dataset of your own, or use the sample files provided
• Any visualisation tool; we demonstrate with free options

Skills you'll build

Completing this course raises these proficiencies in your skill profile.

Your instructor

Ryan Holt

Senior Data Scientist, Meghna Analytics

Rafiq works with retail and logistics teams to turn raw operational data into decisions. He has written SQL for everything from tiny startups to petabyte warehouses, and he teaches analysis as a way of thinking rather than a bag of syntax.

4.8 instructor rating13K learners2 courses

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Learner reviews

LS

Lamia Siddique

MIS Executive

Sep 11, 2026

My monthly reports were 12-chart walls of colour. After this course they are four clear visuals and my director finally reads them.

Peter Novak

Operations Manager

Aug 2, 2026

Concise, thoughtful and highly applicable. The chart selection guide is a keeper.

AC

Arif Chowdhury

Junior Data Analyst

Jul 18, 2026

Rafiq shows before-and-after redesigns that make the principles obvious. Great pacing.