Fundamentals of Web Design: Introduction to Dreamweaver

This week, we learnt how to use dreamweaver to link a page to another. It was a tough lesson but we pulled through because we were determined to get a takeaway from this lesson as it is the fundamentals of web design. If we do not understand this lesson, the tutorials ahead will be difficult for us.

Before going to dreamweaver, we learnt to slice the pages on Photoshop. I encountered difficulties initially because I did not change the names of the files after slicing the pages. The files did not work if it had duplications. After about one to two hours of work, I finally managed to complete the task.

Slicing the pages on Photoshop

The home page of Halia at SBG

After clicking the Private Events page

After clicking the Weddings page

After clicking the catering page

After clicking the menu page

It was tough at first but after numerous attempts to master the skills through the first page, which is the Private Events page, the rest of the pages became easy as we simply had to repeat the routine. Despite it being the first lesson through the fundamentals of web design, it is a tough task for me. I will have to polish my skills and keep practising so that I do not forget how to do this.

Visit to Peranakan Museum

Our trip to the Peranakan Museum made me appreciate the differences in culture among the human race. Apart from traditions and religious practices, the designs on their daily items reflected their unique quality as a culture itself. The main takeaway from this trip was the visuals we saw on the ornaments and costumes displayed.

1.1 A large collage of photos at the first level featuring different Peranakan people of different generations.

Prior to this trip, I thought that the only Peranakans who existed were Peranakan Chinese. I realised that I was wrong as there are 3 different types of Peranakans: Peranakan Chinese, Jawi Peranakans, and Chitty Melaka Community.Peranakans. Jawi Peranakans are descendants of intermarried couples between South Indian-Muslim traders and woman of the local malay communities. The Jawi Peranakans had an entrepreneurial and forward-looking spirit. They were viewed as elite socio-economic group and excelled in the fields of business and education. Chitty Melaka Community, also known as the Straits-born Hindus or Indian Peranakans are descendants of intermarried couples in Malacca. They strongly resemble the Malays and Baba Nyonyas in terms of clothing, food and appearances. They maintain their hindu names and customs.

1.2 A bridal headdress that Singapore or Malacca Peranakan brides wear. 

This headdress that the brides wear consist of 174 hairpins in total, causing it to be as heavy as what it appears to be. The hairpins have the shape of flowers, insects, sea creatures, birds, and other symbols. These different shapes and creatures have very beautiful designs. Although it looks heavy, the headdress looks exquisite.

1.3 One of the Kamchengs displayed.

1.4 A Kamcheng

1.3 A Kamcheng is a type of covered container which is popular in the Peranakan Community. It is one of the most common forms of pottery made of porcelain. It is usually used to contain drinking water, food or desserts depending on the family.

If we look closely, apart from the intricate designs that usually take the form of curve lines, the kamchengs often have a lion-dog at the top of the lid. These porcelains are in-and-our porcelains, which means that they are decorated with coloured enamels on both the interior and exterior surfaces.

1.5 A display of the accessories worn by Peranakan women.

1.6 One of the gift trays given to the bride in a Peranakan wedding which contains food.

The Peranakan wedding gifts or dowry varies from food to accessories. There was another tray on display which consist of more food and a pig's leg.

1.7 Another wedding gift tray. This one consists of accessories.

1.8 Mannequins portraying a Peranakan groom on his way to his wedding.

The Peranakan wedding is a grand affair. There were many other displays which I did not manage to take photos of as I did not bring my camera. They costumes had many intricate designs that were beautiful.

1.9 A display of a Peranakan funeral ceremony

From weddings to funerals, the museum surely equipped us with much knowledge in a 2-hour tour around the museum. The funeral display was almost a realistic one as there was audio playing at the background which featured a woman mourning the passing of her husband.

2.0The kitchen of a Peranakan house.

2.0 The kitchen displayed seemed like a normal kitchen portrayed in a typical Peranakan house as we have seen in shows like The Little Nyonya. What made me more interested was the fact that in the past, according to their culture, men were discouraged from entering the kitchen where women spent most of their time in. In this modern society, most women no longer spend much time in the kitchen cooking dishes for their family. However, in the past, the kitchen was what I deemed as their 'playground'. 

The Peranakan were known for their skills in embroidery and cooking. During this trip, I unintentionally focused more on their cultural practices and history as compared to the design aspects. However, I am still awed by the beauty of their embroidery and intricate designs on all their things - from costumes to furniture to pottery. Almost every item in the house have detailed, beautiful designs. 

Given a chance, I would love to attend a workshop on embroidery and learn about the history or story behind their designs. Although I thought the trip was going to be boring, it turned out to be fun as I spend most of the time admiring the displays and ornaments and equipped myself with knowledge about their culture.

Photo credits (kamcheng) : http://www.flickr.com/photos/kamcheng/3556703587/