2026 in 9 projects
That's it — we're at the end of June already! 😳
It marks the end of the second season of the Dataviz Universe newsletter that I send every Saturday. We're now 19,000 here — thanks a lot!
I'm about to disappear for two months. I'm taking a break to think a bit about my business, and to welcome a daughter who should arrive any time now. 😀
As always at this time of year, I feel like time flies and I haven't done much yet… So before I go, I thought I'd recap 9 projects I've been involved in since the start of 2026 that could hopefully help you (and make me feel a bit better!). Let's do it.
0️⃣ Matplotlib Journey
My Python dataviz course just turned one year old — and it has already helped 600+ students create better graphs with Python.
1️⃣ Data To Art
A gallery showcasing projects that transform data into stunning, more or less abstract visuals.
I'm very late in adding new artists, but I love this project and will definitely keep growing it over the long run.
2️⃣ Dataviz speedrun
I took an awesome but frustrating static chart and made it interactive in 83 minutes, using AI. I documented the whole process so you can see how much human work is still needed — and to prove there's no reason not to try D3.js in the AI era!
3️⃣ ggplot2 geom explorer
I've always dreamed of having this! A little explorer to discover all the ggplot2 geoms easily, get new viz ideas, and finally build a mental model of what's possible.
4️⃣ AI + Dataviz talk
You probably guessed it: AI is the current big thing, and I'm studying very closely the impact it has on the dataviz world.
My bet: there's no reason not to use D3.js anymore — the most powerful tool, finally made accessible. I gave a free talk on this topic and so many people joined, it was crazy!
5️⃣ Dataviz Inspiration
My little inspiration website is growing well, with now more than 300 entries to inspire your next project. And I have a bunch of new features in the works that I'll talk about soon.
6️⃣ Dataviz Universe
That's this little newsletter you're reading right now.
It doesn't look like much, but I dedicate a fraction of all my Saturdays to writing it — and I think the resulting list of posts is genuinely valuable. Why not share it with a friend if you like it? Or, even better, send me a few words?
7️⃣ D3 loves React
My biggest project! An online, cohort-based course about D3.js — and I'm so satisfied with this one.
300 people joined the first cohort, and I get to see every student enter a whole new world of possibilities. Triggering such a drastic change makes me feel useful, and it's going to be my main focus next year!
The next cohort will be in September. You can join the waitlist to benefit from the soon-to-come early-bird price.
Learn D3, the best dataviz tool
8️⃣ Better chart, step by step
It's often the same advice I repeat again and again. So I built a little playground where you can apply those tips one by one and see how each one affects the chart. Hopefully it's convincing enough that you'll apply the tip next time!
9️⃣ Pacific Dataviz Challenge
Two years ago I won a dataviz challenge. This year they offered me a spot on the jury, and I accepted. It's going to be some work, but I'm really looking forward to seeing your entries!
That's it for this first part of 2026!
I hope my work has helped you, even a tiny bit, in creating better charts. If you have any feedback, questions, ideas, bug reports, advice or requests — I'm a real human on the other side, so please drop me an email!
See you in September,
Yan
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