Knowledge That Binds is an investigation into the craft of bookbinding through the lens of a designer, to foster appreciation and encourage creatives to engage in the craft. 

Often overlooked in the hands of readers, bookbinding is an essential part of holding pages of information together. Books were initially bound by hand in the past before industrialisation introduced machinery and automated much of the process. As such, the craft of hand bookbinding has dwindled into a niche profession and a hobby. 

Despite the decline of hand bookbinding, the craft is still relevant to creatives as it is frequently used in student projects and artist books in the art and design scene. It is a significant skill used for artist books and design publications, hence, it is important to promote the art of bookbinding in Singapore amongst creatives so that more creatives can engage with and develop a deeper appreciation for the craft. Learning about hand bookbinding techniques and binding methods from the past can also provide inspiration for contemporary designers and artists who are interested in exploring the art of bookbinding. By studying traditional binding techniques, one can gain a greater understanding of the materials, tools, and methods used in bookbinding.

This project seeks to study existing hand bookbinding techniques and aims to relook at hand bookbinding techniques for designers and artists who self-produce books and can benefit from hand bookbinding as a creative expression.