How do you evaluate and improve your data visualization skills and portfolio over time?

To-be able to evaluate and improve your visualisation skills overtime a self assessment is needed whereby you assess what you capabilities are, your strengths, aspects in need of upgrading and learning and set goals to achieve this. Constructive criticism/Feedback is also valuable from knowledgeable experts and peers in the data visualisation field. To grow one has to learn and sometimes unlearn certain things.taking courses and reading up on latest innovations in the visualisation field and most importantly applying learning skills to different tasks and getting feedbacks on them.

The Google Data Suite (looker) is also useful. So my most recent project was to be that of a map of lost pet birds that automatically updates daily. The source Sheet is scripted to automatically update and automatically clean its data daily. So the only sticking point was getting Tableau Public to update once a day as well. Turns out, the company decided to remove this functionality. A removal that defied my goal. So yesterday I used Looker for the first time and now have both a website version and a mobile version set up. Everything automatically updates. I have the same functionalities I would have in Tableau. What's nice is I find that once we learn one platform, the next is easier, as is the next, etc.

I love the Story Telling with Data community. If you join, they send you monthly challenges to practice your data visualization skills. Also, you have the opportunity to upload your work for feedback and see how others approached the exercises. And it’s free! https://community.storytellingwithdata.com

Learn and listen for what types of visualizations resonate with your audience. This will guide you in where you need to improve and what you already do well. When you present a chart to someone, pick up on the cues they’re giving you and the questions they’re asking. If the findings in the chart are obvious to you but not to them, then the chart isn’t working and you have to go back to the drawing board. The best indicator of your skills is how well your message gets through in your visualizations. Listen to your audience to learn where your gaps are, what’s working well, and how to make the same visualization better next time.