Bind is a publication-focussed agency specialising in graphic design, social awareness, and collaborative projects.  In Autumn 2024, founding member of Bind, Lucy Stevenson reached out to pollen with hopes of creating something in collaboration with our project. 

Bind took on a notion that we have been brewing for a while now - the idea of a publication called The Grappler.

The concept of The Grappler emerged from the redesign of this website, which led us to ask, why does pollen exist? We realised that a unifying element in all strands of the project is a feeling that, rather than seeking precise solutions, we are grappling with heavy, complex, entangled questions.

That act of grappling is often overlooked or misunderstood. Trying to understand and absorb ecological breakdown is often messy, confusing, and numbing. It takes time, energy, and resources that many don’t have access to. I see The Grappler as a fierce guardian, bringing us together to fill the gaps left by education and media systems that don’t illuminate the causal chains feeding collapse. The Grappler is a place where stories are told and held, creating a capsule of personal reflection, exploration, and expression.

Bind took on the challenge of creating the first edition of The Grappler and what they produced has moved and enchanted us all. Titled ‘Germinate’, the publication is designed to be a physical expression of the project. Sheets of Seawhite Cupcycling Cartridge paper are spiral bound with playful illustrated overlays, inviting a tactile, indulgent reading experience. Until a copy makes its way into your hands, here’s a digital version for you to explore.