Following formulaic rules will not make you a good author. Studying the work of good authors may, no guarantees, give you the skills to be a good author. The same is true of interface/dashboard design.
Examples of good dashboard design and why certain elements are thought to be exemplary can be found in: 2012 Perceptual Edge Dashboard Design Competition: We Have a Winner! by Stephen Few.
Unlike a traditional topic map node/arc display, these designs allow quick comparison of information between subjects.
Even if a topic map underlies the presentation, the nature of the data and expectations of your users will (should) be driving the presentation.
Looking forward to the appearance of the second edition of Information Dashboard Design ((by Stephen) which will incorporate examples from this contest.