Print & Publishing

The Sicilian agenda 2024 with myths and legends of Sicily

Since 2021, I have been publishing the Sicilian Agenda annually on Amazon. For the 2024 edition, the theme centred around the myths and legends of Sicily, capturing the region’s rich cultural history in a beautifully illustrated agenda.

With a focus on traditional stories and folklore, the agenda combines vibrant illustrations, meticulously designed layouts, and engaging content that showcases Sicily’s legendary tales. Every element, from cover to interior pages, was designed from scratch to create a cohesive and enchanting product.

  • Full custom design of illustrations, layout, and cover
  • Use of Adobe Fresco for illustrations, InDesign for internal layouts, and Illustrator/Photoshop for the cover
  • Multilingual content in Italian, Sicilian dialect, and English
  • Amazon print publishing for global distribution

Client: Self Published

Project: Sicilian Agenda 2024 Design and Publishing

Sector: Print & Publishing (Amazon)

The Challenge

Each year, the Sicilian Agenda needs to present a fresh and compelling theme that reflects the rich cultural identity of Sicily. For the 2024 edition, I aimed to capture the essence of Sicily’s myths and legends, incorporating detailed illustrations and stories that have been passed down through generations. The agenda needed to appeal to both locals and those with a passion for Sicilian culture, all while maintaining a practical, user-friendly format.


My Approach

To ensure the agenda stood out, I designed all elements from scratch. Using Adobe Fresco, I created custom illustrations for each month, depicting key myths and legends such as La leggenda di Colapesce, Il vulcano Etna ed Efesto, and La leggenda delle teste di moro. These were paired with stories written in Italian, Sicilian dialect, and English, providing a bilingual and cultural experience for the user.

The interior design was crafted in InDesign, ensuring the agenda was both functional and aesthetically engaging. The weekly layout, goal-setting pages, and additional cultural elements, such as traditional Sicilian tongue twisters (scioglilingua), added depth and usability to the agenda. The cover was created using Illustrator and Photoshop, with a focus on vibrant yet professional visuals that conveyed the cultural richness of Sicily.

Key features of the design included:

  • Custom illustrations: 12 unique illustrations showing famous Sicilian myths and legends, created using Adobe Fresco.
  • Multilingual content: Each story and additional elements were presented in Italian, Sicilian dialect, and English to broaden the agenda’s appeal.
  • Interior layout: Designed with user functionality in mind, featuring weekly overviews, project planning pages, and goal-setting sections for 2024.
  • Cover design: A unique, colourful cover that stands out, designed from scratch to resonate with the agenda’s Sicilian theme.

The Result

The Sicilian Agenda 2024 successfully brings Sicily’s myths and legends to life in a practical, beautifully designed format. The agenda has been well-received, with its custom illustrations and thoughtful design making it a standout product on Amazon.

Each year, the agenda continues to grow in popularity, providing users with an engaging way to stay organised while celebrating the cultural heritage of Sicily. Personally, this project has a deep emotional connection, allowing me to stay close to my Sicilian roots and feel less far from home.