How ClarityTime Optics Reimagined Their Brand with Custom Jewelry Design Freelance Services

ClarityTime Optics: More Than Eyewear

ClarityTime Optics, known for its sleek and minimalistic eyeglasses, decided to branch out—just a bit. For over a decade, the company had built its reputation on clean lines, subtle details, and frames that quietly stood out. Their loyal customer base appreciated the modern look and comfortable fit, and the brand steadily became a go-to name for people who preferred understated sophistication.

But as their product line grew, so did the feedback they received from customers. A pattern started to emerge: people weren’t just buying glasses—they were building a style around them. Some were adding their own charms or chains to personalize the look, while others asked if ClarityTime offered coordinating accessories to match their frames.

The message was clear: people wanted more than just great eyewear. They wanted pieces that could pull the whole look together—small touches that felt intentional, not afterthoughts. Think: delicate chain links with brushed metal finishes, sleek charms that clipped onto the temples without being bulky, or clasp sets that made even the functional parts of glasses feel elevated and stylish.

These weren’t just accessories. They were subtle extensions of the brand.

ClarityTime’s leadership team loved the idea but knew better than to rush into building a whole new product department. Hiring a full-time jewelry designer wasn’t on the roadmap. They needed someone nimble—someone who could understand their brand, translate that vision into wearable add-ons, and deliver high-quality design work without a drawn-out onboarding process.

That’s when they turned to ZapMyWork.

Rather than wading through countless agencies or trying to shoehorn jewelry work into their existing team’s responsibilities, ClarityTime posted a carefully crafted project brief on the freelance marketplace. They were looking for a jewelry designer with a knack for minimalist detail, an eye for functionality, and—ideally—some technical chops to help bring prototypes to life.

It didn’t take long for the responses to come in. From there, the brand kicked off what would become one of their most successful creative partnerships to date.

The Project Vision

The goal wasn’t to launch a full-blown jewelry line—ClarityTime wasn’t trying to become a lifestyle brand overnight. This was more about fine-tuning the experience they already offered. They didn’t want to stray from their core identity in eyewear; instead, they aimed to complement it with thoughtful design touches that felt like a natural extension of the brand.

What they had in mind were subtle, stylish add-ons—nothing flashy or over-designed, just clever accents that blended function with personality.

Here’s what that looked like in practice:

• Chain attachments with a purpose
  These weren’t the beaded eyeglass holders your grandma wore (no offense, Grandma). ClarityTime envisioned slim, modern chains made from brushed silver, matte black links, or mixed metals. They needed to be lightweight, easy to attach, and just as suitable for a Zoom call as a night out.

• Branded metal charms for a personalized touch
  These tiny additions clipped onto the sides of frames—like jewelry for your glasses. Each charm was engraved with subtle branding or abstract patterns tied to seasonal themes. They served no purpose beyond looking good, which, for ClarityTime’s style-conscious customers, was more than enough.

• Coordinating rings and bracelets to round out the look
  Rather than standalone pieces, the idea was to create accessories that visually tied back to the eyeglass collection. Think rose gold bands that matched the hinges on a popular frame or acetate-inlay bracelets that echoed the material used in limited-edition styles.

• Seasonal collector’s items for loyal fans
  Twice a year, ClarityTime released capsule eyewear collections inspired by mood boards, color palettes, or travel destinations. The plan was to include a matching jewelry piece—maybe a charm, maybe a minimalist brooch—available in small batches. These weren’t meant to dominate the product lineup but to give superfans something extra to look forward to.

This wasn’t about chasing trends or jumping into the jewelry market for the sake of variety. It was about brand alignment—making sure everything ClarityTime released felt true to its DNA. The accessories weren’t trying to steal the spotlight from the frames. They were there to quietly complement them, to let customers layer their style in a way that felt cohesive and intentional.

By keeping the vision focused and the product line tight, ClarityTime made it clear they weren’t just tossing out add-ons. They were curating small, beautiful details that made their frames feel even more personal—and that made all the difference.

Finding the Right Freelancer

ClarityTime didn’t want to leave anything to chance, especially with a project that walked the line between creative expression and practical design. So when they turned to ZapMyWork, they put serious thought into crafting a job brief that would attract the right kind of talent—not just anyone who dabbled in jewelry, but someone who could understand the brand’s clean, thoughtful aesthetic and bring real polish to the details.

They spelled out their expectations clearly in the listing.

Here’s what they included in their project brief:

• A strong design portfolio, with a focus on small-scale accessory work
  They weren’t looking for someone who specialized in bold statement necklaces or oversized art pieces. They needed someone who understood the subtleties of working with small components—items measured in millimeters, not inches. Intricate, refined, and wearable.

• Proficiency in CAD tools and 3D rendering software
  Precision was key. Since the accessories would be prototyped and potentially mass-produced, the designer had to be fluent in CAD programs like Rhino or SolidWorks. ClarityTime also requested experience with rendering tools so that concepts could be shared with internal teams in a format that looked polished and close to the real thing.

• Comfort working with mood boards, sketch iterations, and cross-functional teams
  This was more than a solo design gig. The freelancer would need to sync up with ClarityTime’s product development and marketing departments, translating creative direction into tangible pieces while staying on schedule. Familiarity with mood boards, iterative feedback, and brand-guided collaboration was a must.

Once the project was live, applications came in steadily. Designers from different backgrounds—fine jewelry, fashion, industrial design—submitted their portfolios. But one in particular stood out.

Enter: Leona Diaz

Leona was a freelance jewelry designer with a foot in both the fashion world and industrial design. Her portfolio was a blend of clean lines, inventive materials, and understated beauty. She had designed modular earrings that snapped together like puzzle pieces, and bracelets that doubled as tech accessories. But what really caught ClarityTime’s eye was her understanding of balance—how to create something visually striking that still felt simple enough for everyday use.

She didn't just design pretty pieces. She designed with intent.

During their initial video call, she came prepared with ideas before even being officially hired. She had already pulled inspiration from ClarityTime’s website and social channels and proposed three loose themes she thought could work for the chain attachments and charms. She spoke fluently about production timelines, sourcing materials, and how subtle weight and scale could affect wearability.

In short, she got it.

There was no hand-holding required. Leona was exactly the kind of collaborator the ClarityTime team had hoped to find—creative yet practical, detail-driven without being rigid, and able to deliver both artistry and structure.

That meeting kicked off what would become a tight-knit creative partnership, one that would take their vision for eyewear accessories from concept to reality with clarity, style, and a touch of understated charm.

What the Freelancer Delivered

Leona didn’t just provide a handful of sketches and call it a day—she built an entire visual narrative around ClarityTime’s concept. From the very first presentation, it was clear she wasn’t simply designing objects; she was thinking about how each accessory would live and breathe within the brand’s world.

Her process was intentional and layered, giving the ClarityTime team not just deliverables, but a full creative journey to walk through together.

1. Concept Boards That Set the Mood

Leona kicked things off with a set of curated concept boards. These weren’t just Pinterest-style collages—they were carefully thought-out visual frameworks that showed the direction of the designs before pen even hit paper.

• Color palettes were pulled directly from ClarityTime’s eyewear collections—soft neutrals, matte blacks, muted golds, and a few seasonal pops. The idea was to create accessories that didn’t clash or compete with the frames, but rather blended seamlessly.

• She included material swatches, both digital and physical. Brushed metals, polished steel, and acetate samples (the same material used in some of ClarityTime’s best-selling frames) were presented as the base textures.

• To round it out, she introduced mood imagery—architecture, fabrics, and lifestyle photography—all of which captured the brand’s “modern simplicity” without being overly literal.

The boards became a visual anchor throughout the project, helping everyone stay on the same page stylistically and creatively.

2. 3D Mockups That Brought Ideas to Life

Once the direction was approved, Leona shifted into modeling mode. Using Rhino for CAD design and KeyShot for rendering, she built realistic 3D visuals of each piece.

• The chain attachments, charms, and rings were all rendered in high resolution, with careful attention to surface finishes and how light would interact with different materials.

• Each model could be rotated and viewed from multiple angles, allowing the ClarityTime team to zoom in on the clasp mechanisms, charm connectors, and engraved branding details.

• She even simulated how the accessories would look attached to actual frames, inserting her models onto photo overlays of ClarityTime’s eyewear to show how everything worked together visually.

This part of the process made it easy for the internal team—many of whom weren’t designers—to visualize the final outcome and give clear, informed feedback.

3. Prototypes for Hands-On Evaluation

Digital renders are one thing, but ClarityTime wanted to feel the pieces—check the weight, the proportions, and the fit alongside their existing products.

Leona took it a step further by arranging 3D-printed prototypes using PLA, a biodegradable material that’s ideal for mockups. While these weren’t the final metals, they were perfect for testing:

• The team received physical samples of each design, which helped them evaluate scale and usability—especially for the charms and clasps that needed to connect smoothly to the frames.

• Minor tweaks were made based on this stage—like adjusting the curvature of one of the rings for better comfort or increasing the size of a clasp to make it easier to handle one-handed.

This tactile step eliminated guesswork and allowed ClarityTime to move forward with total confidence.

4. Production Files That Were Ready to Go

With final designs approved, Leona wrapped up the project by delivering everything the manufacturing team would need—organized, labeled, and ready to hand off.

• CAD files for each accessory were included in multiple formats, ensuring compatibility with different manufacturing tools and vendors.

• Detailed spec sheets covered dimensions, materials, finishes, and even recommended tolerances for production.

• She also created a style guide that mapped out how these accessories should be used in future marketing, product shots, and packaging. This ensured that whether someone was browsing online or holding the item in their hand, the accessory would feel like a natural part of the ClarityTime experience.

This end-to-end approach meant that ClarityTime didn’t just walk away with design files—they walked away with a complete toolkit for moving forward, confidently and creatively.

Why It Worked

ClarityTime’s team was genuinely impressed by how smoothly Leona integrated into their workflow. Even though she was working remotely and in a different time zone, it never felt like there was any distance. From the first project check-in, she was in sync with the rhythm of their internal team—professional, prepared, and always a step ahead.

Here’s what made the collaboration stand out:

• Bi-weekly calls didn’t feel like check-ins—they felt like creative jam sessions.
  Leona joined every video call ready to share progress, but also open to input. She wasn’t precious about her ideas, which made feedback feel like a two-way street rather than a critique. The product team appreciated how she asked smart questions, brought her own suggestions, and worked through revisions live when needed.

• She consistently delivered ahead of schedule, not just on time.
  In a world where delays are more common than not, Leona was a breath of fresh air. Whether it was mood boards, CAD files, or prototype coordination, she sent things over early—giving ClarityTime more breathing room to review and adjust without feeling rushed.

• Design revisions happened quickly and with clarity.
  When feedback did roll in—like adjusting the scale of a charm or exploring a different metal finish—she didn’t just make the changes. She explained why certain edits worked better than others and often included multiple options so the team could compare and decide. It made the decision-making process smoother and more collaborative.

• She brought unexpected ideas to the table.
  One standout moment came midway through the project when Leona pitched the idea of modular charms. These tiny, interchangeable pieces could be swapped out seasonally or even personalized by customers. The idea was completely on-brand for ClarityTime: stylish, subtle, and a little bit playful. The team hadn’t even considered it, but once she showed mockups, it felt like a natural fit.

All of this built a strong sense of trust between Leona and the ClarityTime crew. What started as a one-time engagement for a small accessory line quickly evolved into something much more collaborative.

A New Ongoing Partnership

ClarityTime didn’t want to let that momentum go, so they decided to extend the relationship. Leona now works with them on a seasonal basis, developing limited-edition accessory drops that align with their newest eyewear collections.

Each season, she helps conceptualize a fresh accessory theme—drawing from current trends, color stories, and customer feedback. Sometimes it’s a new chain design with a unique clasp system; other times it’s a reimagined charm that celebrates an anniversary collection. Her designs continue to hit that sweet spot between functional and fashionable—exactly what ClarityTime customers love.

The best part? Because Leona already understands the brand so well, the ramp-up time for each new project is practically zero. She’s more than just a freelancer now—she’s a creative extension of the team.

Key Takeaways for Other Businesses

If your business is product-focused and you’re trying to add something fresh without shaking up your entire operation, freelance jewelry design is definitely worth considering. It’s not about launching a massive new department or pouring resources into a full product line—it’s about complementing what you already do, with thoughtful additions that feel intentional.

That was exactly the case for ClarityTime. They didn’t set out to become a jewelry brand. They just saw an opportunity to offer a more complete experience to their customers—and thanks to a smart freelance partnership, they pulled it off in a way that felt both strategic and creatively satisfying.

Here’s why they recommend going the freelance route:

• It’s flexible—work only when there’s actual work.
  Hiring a full-time jewelry designer didn’t make sense for ClarityTime. They needed someone for a specific project with a defined timeline, and the freelance setup fit like a glove. Whether it’s a single campaign, a holiday collection, or a prototype project, you can bring in help when you need it and pause when you don’t. No long-term payroll commitments, no overhead, no pressure.

• It’s collaborative—the right freelancer becomes part of your creative team.
  The fear some businesses have about freelancers feeling “outside” the process is valid—but that’s where choosing the right person makes all the difference. A strong freelancer like Leona doesn’t just follow directions—they listen, interpret, and add value. She tuned into ClarityTime’s tone and aesthetic right away and offered ideas that reflected their brand better than they could have imagined.

• It’s scalable—start small and build as you go.
  You don’t have to launch with ten different products. ClarityTime began with a few subtle pieces: chains, charms, and rings. When those performed well and the relationship with their freelancer felt easy and productive, they naturally expanded the partnership. There was no pressure to go big from the start, which made the process feel low-risk and high-reward.

And perhaps most importantly—freelance collaborations like this can bring in fresh perspectives you didn’t even know you needed. Sometimes, it takes someone from outside your team to look at your brand with new eyes and ask, “What if we tried this?”

For ClarityTime, that “what if” turned into a new stream of customer engagement, added value to their products, and deepened their connection with people who already loved their frames.

If you’re considering something similar—whether it’s custom accessories, packaging add-ons, or product embellishments—ZapMyWork makes it easy to find designers who can help bring your ideas to life. Post your project, connect with creatives from around the world, and build something your customers didn’t even know they were waiting for.

ZapMyWork: A Freelance Marketplace That Understands Creative Needs

ClarityTime's success is just one example of what’s possible when you connect with the right creative talent. What started as a simple idea—adding a few tasteful accessories to complement their eyewear—quickly evolved into a thoughtful, branded extension that customers embraced. And the key? Finding the right freelancer who could take that vision and turn it into something tangible, functional, and completely aligned with their identity.

One of the things the ClarityTime team appreciated most was how effortless the process felt through ZapMyWork. The platform made it easy to sort through candidates based on exactly what they needed—designers with experience in small accessories, comfort with CAD and rendering tools, and an understanding of how to collaborate with an existing product team.

They didn’t have to wade through irrelevant applications or gamble on someone with a vague portfolio. Instead, they found a designer who had the right background, creative mindset, and technical skill set to plug in immediately and start adding value.

And here’s the thing—whether you’re looking for:

• Custom jewelry to accompany a product line

• Branded merchandise to support your next launch

• Smart, functional accessories that tie into your core offering

• Or even something highly specific that doesn’t fit into a neat category

There’s probably someone out there who’s already done it, or at the very least, someone who’s excited to take it on. Freelancers bring fresh thinking and focused attention to each project—and the good ones don’t just follow instructions; they make the work better.

If you're considering branching out with your product offering or want to bring new creative energy into the fold—without adding a full-time hire—ZapMyWork is a smart place to start. You get access to skilled professionals who are used to delivering high-quality work on flexible timelines, and you stay in control of the scope, budget, and direction.

Ready to explore what’s possible?

Head over to ZapMyWork, post your project, and connect with creatives who can help you bring your next idea to life—on your terms, and on your timeline.

Because sometimes, a small idea—like a chain on a pair of glasses—can turn into something your customers didn’t even know they were waiting for.