10 Days - 3 events - 4 speakers - 1 focus:
The Highs & Lows
of living with
Type 1 Diabetes
14-23 June
Edinburgh, Scotland
Welcome to the DbyD Fest
Join us from June 13th to 24th for a dynamic exploration of what it means to live and thrive with a chronic condition.
Featuring an immersive exhibition and diabetes-themed panels & events, all curated to elevate awareness of type 1 diabetes and spark innovation in how we support those affected by it.
Diabetes By Design’s 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.
Whether you're directly affected by T1D, a healthcare professional, or simply interested in learning more, this exhibition and event series promises to inspire and ignite new conversations about this often misunderstood condition.
This event is made possible thanks to our brilliant partners:
Three streams to discover
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The Exhibition
14-23 June | 08:30-5pm
A collection of graphic posters and installations designed to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions surrounding Type 1 diabetes
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The T1D Talks
15th & 22 June | 2pm
Join us for our diabetes-themed panel & Q&A events as we discuss the highs and lows of living with a chronic condition.
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The Product Launch
14-23 June | 08:30-5pm
The much-awaited first version of the Companion Cards will be launching at the Exhibition opening! Be among the first to explore the toolkit.
The Exhibition
40 people a day are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the UK, half of whom are adults. We still don’t fully understand this autoimmune condition, only that diagnosis are increasing.
At times serious, often light-hearted and always colourful, Diabetes by Design is a collection of graphic posters and installations curated to elevate awareness of type 1 diabetes and spark innovation in how we support those affected by it.
Award-winning designer, Alex Durussel-Baker was diagnosed at 30 while on a work trip. Having not recognised the symptoms and one step away from a coma, she was very fortunate to receive medical care just in time. However, one in four unaware sufferers will be in a critical state by the time they are diagnosed. For some, the diagnosis will come too late.
Part of the DbyD Fest and spread over 10 days, this exhibition, event series, and product launch proposes a dynamic exploration of what it means to live and thrive with a chronic condition.
Exhibition BackStory
Watch our highlight video to get a taste of what to expect: alongside many eye-catching pieces from our last exhibition, this year's event will feature new artwork exploring the highs and lows of living with Type 1 Diabetes.
The Events
Over 10 days, the DbyD Fest will pulse with a diverse lineup of thought-provoking talks, candid panel discussions, lively networking events, and more. Stay tuned.
Exhibition Preview
Thursday 13th June @ 6pm
Join us for the opening night of the Diabetes By Design exhibition. This special preview event offers an exclusive first look at the installations and artwork that explore the Highs & Lows of living with Type 1 Diabetes. Grab a drink, mingle with the artist herself and connect with fellow attendees during a relaxed and informal evening.
Tickets are free but spaces are limited
The True Weight of Diabetes, panel with Heather Jackson
Saturday 15th @ 2pm
Join us for the panel event "The True Weight of Diabetes," a candid discussion about the mental toll of managing an invisible condition like Type 1 Diabetes.
This session will feature personal insights from Heather Jackson, a diabetes advocate, trainee psychotherapist and a mother to a son diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes shortly after their 3rd birtdhay. Adding their voice to this discussion is Alex Durussel-Baker, Founder of Diabetes By Design and diagnosed at the age of 30.
While tackling a serious topic, the atmosphere will be informal and supportive, aimed at fostering understanding and kindness towards oneself. Hosted by Anna Gormezano, this panel is designed to celebrate resilience, offer coping strategies, and remind attendees that they are not alone in their experiences.
Alex Durussel-Baker
Alex is the founder of Diabetes By Design. 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 the condition.
Anna Gormezano Marks
Panel Host, Anna is a Visual Artist & Creative Consultant, and founder of FromNow.studio. Interested in human stories, structure and movement, language and the drawn-line, her creative practice explores themes of illusion, accumulation, feminism, form and space.
Tickets are free but spaces are limited
Heather Jackson
Heather is a business owner, trainee Psychotherapist and mother to an 8 year old son with type 1 diabetes. Heather writes beautifully about her experience and is a powerful voice in the Type 1 diabetes community.
The winding roads to acceptance, fireside chat with Jen Grieves
Saturday 22nd @ 2pm
For many, receiving a diagnosis of a chronic illness like type 1 diabetes is a huge upheaval and the path to acceptance is rarely linear, with ebbs and flows as we grapple with coming to terms with our new reality.
For this candid Fireside chat, we’re delighted to welcome broadcaster, copywriter and alll-round podcast legend in the type 1 diabetes community: Jen Grieves.
Jen and Alex will explore the multifaceted experience of coming to terms with a lifelong health condition and share their own winding roads toward acceptance—the hurdles, the breakthroughs, the laughs and the ongoing evolution of making peace with a life-changing diagnosis.
Through their shared stories, we'll discuss what “acceptance” looks like to them. Because acceptance isn't a final destination—it's an ongoing practice of self-compassion, resilience, and finding light in the darkest moments.
Jen Grieves is a digital producer for TV shows, copywriter, broadcaster and host of the Type 1 on 1 podcast.
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1996 at the age of 8, Jen began sharing her experiences online in 2009 to try and better understand her own health while still making the most of life, and connected with an incredible community along the way.
The Type 1 on 1 podcast was launched in 2019 to bottle up some of the amazing, candid and powerful experiences of people living with type 1 diabetes across the world. Through candid and compassionate connection, the podcast shares real, human stories in a bid to help others feel less alone with the day-to-day frustrations - and triumphs - of the wild ride that is life with type 1 diabetes.
Tickets are free but spaces are limited
Product Launch
The much-awaited first version of the Companion Cards will be launching at the Exhibition opening!
What are the Companion Cards?
Co-designed by healthcare professionals and people living with type 1 diabetes, the Companion Cards are a toolkit that makes a life-altering diagnosis approachable, less isolating and a whole lot more inviting than just another medical leaflet.
Whether you have recently been diagnosed or have been living with (or around) type 1 diabetes for some time, our striking Companion Cards are designed to cut through the information overload, prompt discussion and accompany you on your journey to living well with type 1 diabetes.
Cut through the information overload and get to the stuff that matters to you
Help us make it happen
Whether it's a token fee to cover one of our volunteers bus fare or a larger contribution, these funds go directly towards our endeavours to make living with Type 1 diabetes, that little less clinical and a lot more liveable.
If your company is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor and having your logo featured on our website and exhibition wall (among other great perks), please email hello@diabetesbydesign.org.
For those looking to provide individual support, you can make a donation by clicking the button below.
As a nonprofit initiative funded by poster sales and the founder's own pocket, every bit of support means the world. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you 💙
Where
〰️
What
〰️
When
〰️
Where 〰️ What 〰️ When 〰️
Custom Lane
1 Customs Wharf
Leith, Edinburgh
EH6 6AL
Opening Times
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Sat 10am-5pm
Sun 10am-4pm
Stay in the loop
Newsletter | Instagram
FAQs
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The DbyD Fest welcomes everyone!
While we shine a spotlight on thriving with type 1 diabetes, the inspirational stories and creative approaches you'll experience have valuable lessons for anyone living with or caring about someone with a chronic condition.Whether you have a personal connection to T1D, work in healthcare, or simply appreciate great design and art tackling important topics - this festival is for you.
This won’t be a jargon-full clinical event, It's a warm, inclusive celebration of finding joy and empowerment on the journeys people face everyday with chronic illnesses.
And worse case, Custom Lane serves the best coffee in Edinburgh, now you’ll have to come :) -
We want to raise awareness far and wide about the mental toll of type 1 diabetes. So it’s free to attend!
The events throughout the festival dates are also free, though ticketed. This just helps us prepare enough snacks and seating for everyone!So come one, come all, no fees required! Just an open mind to explore new ways of understanding and supporting those dealing with chronic illnesses.
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The exhibition and event space at Custom Lane is fully accessible, with a disabled toilet conveniently located just off the cafe on the same floor.
"The Shore" tram stop is just a 5-minute walk away, making it easy to roll, walk, or push yourself or children to the venue.
Children (and pets) are also welcome in this gallery. -
We're so grateful for your interest in supporting the DbyD Fest! As a nonprofit initiative funded by poster sales and the founder's own pocket, every bit of support means the world.
If your company is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, having your logo featured on our website, social media, and the exhibition wall, please email hello@diabetesbydesign.org.
For those looking to provide individual support, you can make a donation by clicking here. Whether it's the token fee to cover one of our volunteers bus fare or a larger contribution, these funds go directly towards our endeavours to make living with Type 1 diabetes, that little less clinical and a lot more liveable.
Diabetes By Design is nothing without its community. So from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for wanting to be a part of this.