The #30DayChartChallenge is a community-driven challenge that takes place each year in April. Participants create data visualizations based on daily prompts. The author participated in the challenge to learn the Observable Plot library and improve their data visualization skills. They provide tips for planning, reusing data, defining objectives, embracing the learning process, and celebrating achievements. The author recommends participating in the challenge for personal growth and learning. They also mention an upcoming #30DayMapChallenge in November.
How I used my first #30DayChartChallenge to learn Observable Plot
If you are in the field of data, you are probably familiar with the feeling of having a never-ending list of tools you would like to learn, hopefully some day soon. For me, one of the items on my list for a very long time was Observable Plot, a JavaScript library for exploratory data visualization. Finally this year, I decided to use the #30DayChartChallenge to dive into this amazing library. As a first-time participant in this challenge, I want to share my experience and the insights gained as well as provide advice for those contemplating participation in similar upcoming challenges.
What is the #30DayChartChallenge
The #30DayChartChallenge is a community-driven challenge that happens each year during April. There is a daily prompt that provides a theme for that day’s visualization, which is interpretable by the data viz creator. There is no limitation on the data source or tool used to create these visualizations. It is a fascinating event for data enthusiasts, designers, and aspiring data visualization artists.
Why I participated in the #30DayChartChallenge
My decision to participate in the challenge was driven by several factors:
- Exploring the Observable Plot library: This was my primary goal. I wanted to expand my skillset and explore new tools for creating interactive data visualizations by diving into all the goodness of the JS-based Observable Plot library.
- Improving my data visualization skills: I was eager to enhance my ability to transform raw data into visually appealing and informative charts and plots.
- Boosting creativity: The challenge provided a unique opportunity to experiment with various data visualization techniques and ideas, pushing me to think outside the box. It provided a really fun way to be creative with my storytelling.
- Building connections: The #30DayChartChallenge community comprises data enthusiasts from various backgrounds, which provided an excellent platform for networking and sharing ideas.
Tips from my first #30DayChartChallenge experience of learning a new tool
- Planning — Your Trusted Ally: With prompts available long before the month starts, allocate time to brainstorm ideas, find data sources, and sketch out rough designs beforehand. Planning ahead before the challenge starts allows you to focus on the visualization process and learning without feeling overwhelmed each day.
- The Art of Data Reusability: Looking for new data to inspire you every single day for 30 days straight can get draining very quickly. Recycle data to try a new way of telling the same story.
- Clarity of Purpose: Define your objectives for participating in the challenge. This clarity helped me stay committed and motivated throughout the process.
- The pursuit of growth, not perfection! Embrace the learning process and accept that not every visualization will be perfect. Focus on improving your skills and understanding of data visualization concepts.
- Celebrate the journey! Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Acknowledge your progress and growth, and most importantly, don’t compare your work to others. The challenge is about personal growth and learning.
Participating in the #30DayChartChallenge has been a transformative experience for me. I’ve developed my data visualization skills, mastered a new library, and connected with and learned from so many amazing creators. Now my repo with all the code and data sources acts as a personal Observable Plot cheat sheet that I have often referred to. I hope this article encouraged you to participate in your first #30DayChartChallenge and maybe also use it to learn a new tool. There is also a #30DayMapChallenge coming up soon in November, and the daily prompts for this year are already available here. So it’s time to start planning for the holiday season.
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