Modular Toggle Earring

Hello everyone! My project explores modularity, transformation, and user interaction through a toggle-inspired earring design. Instead of existing as a single fixed object, the earring is built from interchangeable components—a ring and a toggle bar—that can be reconfigured into multiple styles. The design aims to reflect how contemporary users value flexibility, personalization, and expressive minimalism in everyday accessories. Through simple mechanical connections, the piece invites the wearer to become an active participant in shaping the final form. Therefore, by re-imagining the toggle as a modular system, the design highlights the beauty of small mechanical movements and the playful potential of transformation.

Materials/Tools:

1. chain
2. base hoop
3. toggle clasp
4. TinkerCad for 3D mockup/printing

Initially, I was thinking of designing earrings that transform through detachable and magnetic parts.

However,

1. Problem I identified
2. Through material research and scale testing, I realized that small magnets lose their holding strength on curved surfaces. They also rotate too easily, making it unsafe for daily wear. Because of this limitation, I pivoted to a mechanical solution—a toggle bar—that provides a secure, functional closure while still allowing movement.

After deciding on the toggle mechanism, I created a 3D model in Tinkercad, planning to design the components through 3D printing. However, the printed model came out too brittle at the intended size, and increasing the scale by two times made it unrealistic and uncomfortable for wearability.

Based on these findings, I shifted my approach once more and transitioned to working with ready-made silver materials. This allowed me to prototype the toggle mechanism more accurately, explore multiple assembly combinations, and refine the final design in a practical and user-centered way.

After gathering all the materials, I assembled them manually and explored how each part interacts — how the toggle bar locks into the ring, how the chain moves, and how the whole structure hangs from the ear. Initially, I was planning to connect the toggle bar with the chain and the toggle ring attached to the base hoop. However, I've identified that if I put it that way, it's not a smooth adjustment, and the toggle ring couldn’t fit into the bar, so I switched the placement.

Style One: The Base Earring

This is the simplest form. The hoop is worn alone for a clean, minimal everyday look.

Style Two: The Base Earring with the Toggle Ring

By attaching the toggle ring to the base, the earring becomes slightly more decorative but still lightweight and simple.

Style Three: The Base Earring with the Chained Toggle Bar

You can attach the chain and the toggle bar directly to the base earring. This creates a longer, elegant drop with subtle movement.

Style Four: Full Toggle Assembly with the Hanging Chain

For the full design, you combine both the ring and the chained toggle bar. This creates the signature silhouette--> balanced, dynamic, and expressive.

Style Five: Locked Version

Finally, the ring and the bar can be connected directly to each other to form a shorter version, giving a compact charm-like look while still showing the toggle mechanism.

These five styles allow the wearer to experiment, personalize, and interact with the jewelry, making each look feel unique and intentional.

Even though nothing went exactly according to my first plan, I’m actually happy with where it ended up. The outcome feels more realistic, functional, and true to how people use jewelry in daily life. And I think going through all these mistakes made me understand my own design decisions better. I’m satisfied with the overall aesthetic and practical outcome! If you want to see the final videos, I’ve added the QR code for my showcase in the images, and the demo video link is included below ;) I would be grateful if you leave comments/feedback as well. Thank you!

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSf3n55xm/