OUR DESIGN STORY
The idea for Zinnia Sun Shades was born at the beach. As founder AJ Kassenaar walked along the shore, she couldn’t help but observe a sea of failed quests for shade: umbrellas that blow over and break, poorly ventilated pop-up tents and heavy, view-blocking canopies. For an industrial designer with 20+ years of experience, it seemed only logical that there should be a better solution.
In the process of researching, designing, building and testing prototypes, AJ honed in on two key technologies. The first was the tension-based curves of Moss Tents: a 1960s pioneer in the outdoor industry. The second was the breathable knit fabrics used by Nike and other sportswear brands. By focusing on the structural integrity of tension—rather than extra tent poles—and the sun-blocking fabrics of advanced athletic apparel, AJ was able to design a truly innovative, user-friendly and stylish sun protection solution.
The goal of Zinnia Sun Shades is to help you get back to enjoying the great outdoors. From the beach, to the campsite, to your own backyard, our lightweight UPF 50+ shades effectively block the sun—and not much else.
AJ Kassenaar, designer
Raised on the Canadian prairie, AJ’s first memories of the outdoors were watching fields of sunflowers wave against the wide open sky. Her love of nature later inspired her study of design at the University of Manitoba, followed by a master’s in industrial design at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, before eventually moving to the New England shoreline. As the principal designer of Snap Design LLC, the functional physics of the natural world have remained a constant source of inspiration, whether designing furniture for Crate & Barrel, appliances for Cuisinart, or consulting for camera, toothbrush and cosmetic brands. Over the past 15 years, she has shared this passion for reenvisioning everyday objects as a professor at the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.
