Design and typeset: The Mystic Cave, Michele Bacci

Mystic Cave was the first publication in the Convivia academic book series, a collection designed with a strong emphasis on visual clarity and reader navigation. Each book in the series is crafted by professional graphic designers to create unique layouts that enhance the reading experience and support scholarly engagement.

The central graphic motif of the book is the star, a reference to the biblical account of the guiding star that led the Magi to the birthplace of Christ. This concept is subtly embedded in the book’s structure—Chapter One features a single line, while Chapter Four introduces four intersecting lines, visually assembling the star as the narrative unfolds.

A key design challenge in academic publishing is the integration of footnotes—an essential component for referencing and scholarly credibility. In this edition, their significance is highlighted through a footless font and a yellow dividing line, positioned unusually low on the page to emphasize their role in shaping the reader’s understanding. This thoughtful approach ensures that footnotes are not just supplementary but visually and conceptually integrated into the main text.