Pressure Points is a graphic design–driven exploration of the invisible emotional and mental burnout associated with Type 1 diabetes. Research shows that people living with chronic illness experience significantly higher rates of psychological distress, yet this burden often remains unseen, untreated, and quietly absorbed into daily life.

This work uses jewelry as both medium and metaphor. Each piece appears refined, yet introduces subtle physical discomfort when worn—echoing the constant vigilance, calculations, and emotional labor required to manage an invisible illness while appearing composed. The discomfort is intentional, reflecting the pressure beneath the performance of “fine.”

Through photography, typography, pattern making, and material experimentation, this project translates research and lived experience into visual and physical form. Denim, a recurring material reference, nods to routine, durability, and the body as a site where illness is carried daily.

Together, the jewelry, images, and catalog invite viewers to look closer—to recognize the unseen pressures that shape chronic illness and to consider the quiet cost of maintaining composure.