I was going to recommend a book which I have - Envisioning Information - but on inspection I realise that it is an Edward Tuft book.

I'd still recommend holiding out for it though as it sounds like exactely the sort of thing you need.

A lot of the design in information graphics is to provide the reader with information that is consistent, accessible and digestible. In other words, if it looks plain and straightforward that is probably a good thing, especially combining maps and census information. What is the final objective � is it going to be a printed document, model, web design or whatever?
Tim

any recommendations as to other information graphic designers

You might consider The Semiology of Graphics by Jacques Bertin, translated into English by William J. Berg, Published by University of Wisconsin Press 1983.

It provides some great theoretical underpinning for determining which kinds of graphical expression to use to express certain kinds of information. Awesome for MAPS with DATA.

...and at the moment it all looks very plain and straight forward.

Which is exactly what you want to strive for. Restraint and clarity. Express different things with the smallest amount of perceptible difference. Don't try to go too far. Don't buy into the myth of instantly understood. Especially if the information that you are expressing is is a complex dependent network of variables. Even those kinds of graphics that we imagine are instantly understood take cognitive skill and time to process, and some kinds of information just require some careful attention no matter what.

Work-a-day mundane communications are critical tools. In our media saturated western cultures we tend to ignore their importance. It's also easy to worry that our plain and clear graphics will be glossed over or ignored in the visual maelstorm of hype and excess.

I believe (and it's been my experience) that simple clear statements done with taste and restraint are far more effective than a hypodermic needle full of visual heroin.

When people need information they always stop on the things that are clear and calm.

Stay with simple open type for your labelling and legends. Stay with quiet colours and a limited pallette. The map should be a background providing just enough visual cue to locate the data geographically but no more.

This will hold true no matter the media or presentation context.

I hope this helps.

Jon

Otto Neurath worked in the 20ies and 30ies on information graphics that aimed at social change through education. he wasn't a graphic designer but an economist and worked with Gerd Arntz, a graphic designer. together they developed an astonishing system to show connections between for example living conditions in various districts and infant mortality in a clear and even for illiterate people understandable way.

at which university do you study? a reasonable part of neuraths archive was given to the reading university - perhaps you could take a look (although i've heard the archive is quite a mess!)
i suppose his work is a must for your topic.

here is another example, taken from this book:
http://www.neurath.at/pdf/bildersprache.pdf