a type 1 diabetic automatically becomes part of the T1D commu-
nity. This connection can potentially provide an individual with

a sense of belonging if he or she identifies and resonates with
other community members. Finally, diabetes burnout commonly
involves feelings of anxiety and depression, which lead to poor
diabetes management, thus poor health. This points to the impor-
tance of nurturing mental health alongside physical health. The
T1D community offers reliable, firsthand advice for overcoming
diabetes burnout and its psychological implications.

Thad minimal connection to the T1D community prior to the
onset of this research, and I discovered that I was not alone in
overlooking the community asa resource. Aside from the initial
interviewees who benefit from the community, I encountered
other type 1 diabetics during this interview process, as well as at
clinics and workshops, who disregarded this resource for various
reasons. While discussing this phenomenon with them, I discov-
ered two main barriers to community support: lack of awareness
of the T1D community and general disbelief in its value. I realized
that a gap exists between what the perception is of the community,
and what it actually can provide for a type 1 diabetic. This led to
the formulation of my design research question: How can design
be used to increase awareness of and shift the perception around
the T1D community?

While becoming an active participant in the T1D community,

I created a series of artifacts that touched on insight pulled from

this experience as well as organization websites, online forums,

conversations with other type 1 diabetics and further introspection

on my part. This constituted a generative material-based research
practice. The artifacts were presented to a group of individuals,
both type 1 diabetics and non-diabetics, for comment and feed-
back. They included an embroidered image ofa pancreas, a zine
called Doughnuts ¢y Diabetes, ajuice box felt brooch, a model of a
clubhouse, and graphic imagery displaying everyday objects juxta-
posed with diabetic supplies. These designed objects contributed
to key discussions around the T1D community and its members:
the lack of visual identity, the importance of physical gathering
space, the use of story, concealed meaning and insider’s perspec-
tive, and the use of visual storytelling as a vehicle for message.
These artifacts helped inform a making practice to be carried for-
ward into the final design concept.

THE 1 CLUB

The 1 Club is an imaginary secret society for type 1 diabetics. It
serves as a means of reframing the T1D community in a way that
resonates with type 1 diabetics through both visual and written
language formats. The aim of The 1 Club is twofold: to direct
young adult and adult type 1 diabetics to the T1D community,
while promoting its key offerings.

As awhole, the construct ofa secret society eerily mirrors the
structure of the T1D community. Secret societies are, by nature,

Figure 1. The crest contributes to the visual iconography of The 1 Club, helping to cultivate a sense of connection among its members.

SOCIABILITY & COMMUNITY