Dan Basmajian

This collection offers Jaxx's take on an alternative to a traditional inflatable pool float. Using the natural characteristics of outdoor and marine grade materials, we designed a pool float that fully conforms to the body, won’t pop or blow away with a gust of wind, and capitalizes on the cleanability, maintenance, and durability values of the consumer.

In addition to function, we wanted to optimize delight. When submerged, water flows freely though this mesh liner, which feels like waves washing the sand from beneath you on a beach.

One of my team’s main objectives with any design is safety, especially when it comes to children and water. For that reason, we made sure that our seams are sealed tight, our materials are non-toxic, and our small parts are completely secure.

Polystyrene bead is incredibly buoyant. Even the small amount of bead in the head and foot sections of the Capri Floating Hammock can support the weight of a 200+ lb individual.

The outer cover material was originally engineered for boat covers— Sunbrella marine grade solution dyed acrylic canvas. It’s resistance to water, mold, mildew, and fading from UV exposure makes it an ideal material for this application.

Each piece is filled with high-density polystyrene bead that is strong, responsive, and light-weight, making it easy to maneuver and store. The coated mesh liner material allows water to move freely throughout the bag and drain quickly once removed from the water. The combination of these materials lets you get partially submerged in the water, but still feel relaxed, safe, and supported.

For those who want the ultimate relaxation experience, the Jaxx Premium Pool Collection offers convertible floating bean bag styles. These designs can be transformed into multiple positions using a series of grommets and tethers. Customize the bag to your exact seating preferences by adjusting the tension and position of the tethers.

The floating love seat takes the standard Jaxx pool float one step further. Grommets on the perimeter of the bag allow the float to be transformed into a supportive seat for two using adjustable tethers.

Each piece is constructed using the most durable materials we could find. The combination of coated outdoor mesh, high-density polystyrene bead, solution dyed acrylic, and bonded nylon stitching results in a pool float that can stand up to all types of summer fun.

One day our CEO decided to take some of our outdoor bean bags home to relax by the pool. Before he knew it, the bean bags were getting thrown into the water and used as landing pads for his children’s pool time shenanigans. It was just the strategic product addition we had been looking for. After hours of fun he pulled the bean bags out of the pool, only to find that they were now waterlogged. Nevertheless, the next week in the studio our imaginations took over: How might we compete in the bead-filled float market by encapsulating the natural tendencies of water, polystyrene, and marine grade materials to transform a patio bean bag into an extraordinary pool float?

My team began to explore our materials. Often times we find a concept is faster to produce in a scale model than it is to produce in sketch form. By creating a mesh pouch, filling it with bead, and throwing it in a sink full of water, we started to understand how different materials react together. We found that an all mesh liner allowed the water to move freely and drain quickly.

Once we had a proof of concept, we decided to take the concepts to full scale. We then produced a range of shapes and sizes to give us an idea of how each concept behaves. We researched competitive products for a starting point on dimensions, and ended up having great success with our initial prototypes.

Our original prototypes were successful enough that we quickly began to explore the validity of the designs. How much weight could they hold? How will the designs fare in various weather conditions? What is the life cycle of the product?

After considering the best solutions for the consumer, my team began to tackle the more technical elements of the designs. The more we learn about our customer needs, the easier it is to source the proper materials. We ended up going with solution dyed acrylic canvas for the outer cover—a material originally intended for boat covers and awnings.

With our raw materials nailed down, it was time for my team to to determine what our manufacturing cost might look like. This results of this exercise allow my team to communicate with the sales, marketing, and creative teams with information that helps form a strategy for where and how we can position these products.

Once the designs have been validated from a design, functionality, and cost perspective, it’s time to generate the creative assets for the products. This includes producing photography, copy, and technical data—all of which greatly impact the success of a new design, especially through e-commerce distribution channels.

With the pool season approaching quickly, these products are now ready to launch. The first few units are getting packaged up and preparing to leave our shipping facility—a proud sight for my team.