Founding Story
Diabetes by Design was created by Alex Durussel-Baker, a designer living in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 30 and struggling to cope with the mental strain of a widely misunderstood disease, she created dozens of diabetes inspired posters to entice people into learning about Type 1 diabetes. The project helped her make sense of her newfound condition and rebuild bridges with family and friends that she had been shutting out.
In 2019, the posters culminated in an exhibition that caught the eye of the professional healthcare community. Excited by her novel approach to building awareness of the condition, Alex was invited to present her work at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference. She now collaborates with diabetes medical specialists to develop new ways to support people living with type 1 diabetes and redefine what it means to live and thrive with a chronic condition. Alex writes and creates the artwork for the Companion Cards.
Video directed and produced in collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Ewan Fletcher.
“I am convinced the path to emotional and mental wellbeing is through turning an invisible, often misunderstood disease into a visual and engaging talking-point. A way for the diagnosed, their friends and family to break down barriers, laugh and connect over.”
Backed by experts
Our goal is to make diabetes education as engaging and approachable as possible, all content produced for our Companion Cards is rigorously reviewed and validated by our diabetes specialist advisors.
Dr Emily McMurray is a diabetes specialist physician with a keen interest in exploring new ways to support people to manage their diabetes. Based in Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital, Dr McMurray leads the medical strategy and is a key contributor to the Companion Cards.
Dr Catriona Howes is a clinical psychiatrist specialising in mental health and diabetes, she co-writes the Companion Card “prompts and cheat sheets” which are based on her experience and grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles.
Advising the team on patient trials, Dr Rob Gilford is a diabetes specialist physician with a background in medical research in the military. He has an interest in the impact of diabetes on employment, stress and demanding tasks like flying aircraft.
Want to help shape the Companion Cards?
We are currently building a group of diabetes specialists such as DSNs, physicians, dieticians and educators to test the Companion Cards when they are ready. If you would like to be a part of this early testing programme please register your interest below.
Our mantra
If you can name it, hold it, even laugh at it - you can begin to overcome it.
Our mission
Less clinical. More liveable.
The emotional and mental toll of a type 1 diabetes diagnosis is often overlooked. We believe that true wellbeing and good management lies in acknowledging the psychological effects as much as the physical.
Our mission is to help provide anyone living with (or alongside) type 1 diabetes the tools and mindset needed to reach acceptance faster, healthier and happier.
Our values
Building bridges
Helping people feel less isolated is at the heart of our mission. Creating bridges of empathy between people with type 1, their families and friends or their healthcare professional. But as well as fostering human connection, our Companion Cards are designed to be a stepping stone to find out more information on a particular topic, access targeted support or discover members of the online diabetes community.
Grounded in medical truths
All content, guidance and coping techniques in our toolkit are developed in partnership with healthcare professionals. Each theme and associated information has been vetted and the sources cited.
Complement don’t replace
Our toolkit is designed to work alongside existing support; it aims to augment or provide alternative ways to build trust, connection and awareness. Equally, we won’t reinvent the wheel, our role is to signpost to existing, high quality vetted resources such as DiabetesUK, the Lancet, JDRF and more. We aim to help navigate the diabetes education landscape.
No topic off the table
Diabetes by Design is about shining a light on the guts and the glory of a condition that is life-changing in many remarkable ways. We strive to cover a wide range of topics candidly.
Community-led
Diabetes by Design would be nothing without the voices and input from the diabetes community who continuously shape and add to the companion cards. Co-designed by healthcare professionals and people living with type 1 diabetes.
Beautifully & responsibly made
From our prints to our Companion Cards to our production methods, we work with local businesses and makers to deliver high-quality products that feel special and cause no unnecessary harm to our planet.