Rapid advancement in technology and industry in recent years has greatly impacted the market - both in its supply and demand. However, this has led to a great discontinuity in the cultural transmission of honed crafts which have been passed on by generations, as they are facing extinction due to sustainability challenges that rapid industrialization presents to such manual tasks.

The skill chosen as a demonstration on this project is the traditional embroidery practised for centuries in the village Carbajales de Alba in Zamora, Spain. The small village of around 500 people is renowned for the colourful floral patterns on an embroidered costume that consists of multiple parts such as scarfs, socks and cloaks. With a fragmented origin, the technique differs - some traditionally follow no pattern or drawing while some use templates and partition the fabric with markers and drawings before sewing.

The main factor for selecting the skill is the miniscule and declining population of the village which hastens the threat of the skill being lost and hence the urgency to preserve it. Especially as the majority of the practitioners are the elderly. Moreover, the skill lends itself to a digital environment, as the processes involved can be simulated in a virtual context and quantitatively assessed. Additionally, successful implementation of the VR Experience will raise awareness among both the Embroidery Workshop in Carbajales de Alba and the Ethnographic Museum of Zamora to pledge for the skill to be considered ‘under risk of extinction’, which can hopefully ensure that importance is given to its preservation.