Designing reassurances

Out walking recently along the busy bypass road outside Trim, and the footpath suddenly disappeared.
In fairness to the planners /road designers /whoever they may be, the footpath did continue on the other side of the road. And the sightlines were good providing us adequate visibility of oncoming traffic to decide to cross in safety. 

But there was no *reassurance* - that's my word for it. A designed element that ignites confidence in the user.
Like the yellow man walking along the Wicklow Way. Every now and then, at a point where you might doubt your route, some helpful person has positioned a reassuring sign "keep going, this way, straight ahead". So reassuring.

Soap Collection

Since I was about 7 years old - that's more than 25 years ago! - I have had a "soap collection". My granny used to add to the collection, buying me a new coloured, smelly, shaped soap every week or so for a while.

I've carried them with me every house move I made. I tried to use a soap or two from time to time. Maybe a Christmas-theme to add yuletide atmosphere to my bathroom.

Or a fun soap when I expected friends with children to visit.

Now it's time to get rid of them.

So I took time out, photographed my collection and put together this slideshow together as an Ode to my Soap Collection. Some of the details are quite stunning.

My brother asked me will I sell them... but I don't think anybody would be interested. They're at the door, waiting to be taken away. Not sure where to. 27 years is a long time, I'm quite attached to these soaps in an odd unfunctional way.