Michael Gluzman's portfolio showcases his work in graphic design, product design, and filmmaking. It includes projects such as a promotional mailer for PUMA's Urban Mobility line, a movable sofa concept called Rörelse Sofa, a device called Ovü that discreetly indicates ovulation, and a digital photo album to facilitate family communication across distances. Gluzman's work is guided by his belief in empathetic, people-centered design and using design to connect people.

1. t h i n k i n g a n d m a k i n g
M i c h a e l G l u z m a n
Portfolio, 2008
S e l e c t i o n s
PUMA Promotional Mailer
Rörelse Sofa
Ovü
Digital Photo Album
Fanya Kaplan
All That is Human

2. w h o a m i ?
i a m
Friend
Uncle
Son
Brother
Grandson
Immigrant
Citizen
Filmmaker
Storyteller
Thinker
Listener
Artist
Dancer
Romantic
Nerd
Tax-payer
Student
Teacher
Leader
Winner
Loser
Critic
j u s t a g u y. a d e s i g n e r .
My grandmother once told me the most important thing in life was
to be a good person. That advice has resonated with me ever since.
And that advice is something that has transcended into my work.
I believe in solving problems by thinking outside the box. I think
design should support and encourage our intrinsic human faculties
to solve problems rather than substitute them. To do that, it is vital
to have empathy and be sensitive to people’s needs, emotions,
and reactions. I believe in connecting people through design and
creating the kind of solutions that have meaning and value for the
people that experience them.
Design is thinking made visual.
S AUL B A S S
The details are not the details.
They make the design.
CHARLE S EAME S
How shall the new environment be programmed now that we
have become so involved with each other, now that all of us have
become the unwitting work force for social change?
MAR S HALL M c LUHAN

3. b r a n d . d e l i v e r . e x p e r i e n c e .
p u m a p r o m o t i o n a l m a i l e r
Branding / Identity Study

4. C o n c e p t s k e t c h i n g
S t o r y b o a r d i n g
U r b a n M o b i l i t y
Life in the modern world is exciting - but it isn’t always easy. Urban
Mobility is PUMA’s collection of accessories designed to simplify
life in urban environments and wherever else life’s journey takes
you.
P u m a v a l u e s
PUMA plans to evolve the organization through the fostering of
unique company values, all compatible with the personality of the
brand. These can be best summarized in four words:
Passion
Openness
Self-belief
Entrepreneurship

5. m o c k- u p s a n d t e s t i n g
d i e c u t s
u s e s e q u e n c e
a B C d e f G h i j k l m n o p q r S
a
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
B C d e f G h i j k l m n o p q r S
out AND aBout out OF town out OF offiCe out TO party
VISIT puma.Com FOR DETAILS
YOUR COORDINATES ARE n3.
Visit PUMA.com using your map coordinates for exclusive directions to the venue.
1 2 3 4
peel adhesive strips to fasten.
YOU ARE MOBILE.
YOU ARE INVITED.
THE PUMA URBAN MOBILITY PARTY.
10.23.07 // 10.00PM
URBAN MOBILITY.
Life in the modern world is exciting - but it isn’t always easy.
Urban Mobility is PUMA’s collection of accessories designed
to simplify life in urban environments and wherever else
life’s journey takes you.
MAKE YOUR VIP WRIST BAND FOR ENTRY.
O u t t o p a r t y
PUMA’s Urban Mobility line of products and accessories are ripe for
a promotional party. Like other PUMA hosted party functions, the
event fits brand’s culture.
Because PUMA targets the young, hip, and mobile audience with
their Urban Mobility line of products, the mailer is designed with
multiple levels of interactivity in mind suited for a multitasking,
active lifestyle.

6. l o c at i o n
i n t e r a c t i o n
e x p e r i e n c e

7. i s t h i s s e at ta k e n ?
R ö r e l s e S o f a
Lounge Seating Concept
Form Study

8. M o v e m e n t
The framework of beams is an attempt to create dynamism through
diametric pairs. Each beam pair varies in length and height that
imply growth, transition, or the potential for sliding seats along the
beams.
F l o tat i o n
The beam connection to the seat is a reference to an image of holding
something up between two hands; floating. The hidden connection
of the supports suggest flotation.
E n v i r o n m e n t
The interplay of diametric beams with floating seats begin to create
an environment. The intent is to activate the space beyond the
seating area by providing options for alternative use. The resulting
negative space achieved by the exaggerated lengths and heights of
the beams provides a framework for an environment that is implied
by the boundaries and volumes of the sofa.
f o r m d e v e l o p m e n t
c o n c e p t s k e t c h i n g

9. m o v e m e n t
f l o tat i o n
e n v i r o n m e n t

10. b e d r o o m a m b i e n c e
o v ü
Ovulation Beacon

11. f o r m d e v e l o p m e n t
c o n c e p t s k e t c h i n g
N at u r a l b i r t h c o n t r o l
Typically, the woman is largely in charge of all birth control options.
Her motivation drives fertility cycle monitoring. Tremendous
pressure rests on the woman’s shoulders to act as executive
and messenger. Men are rarely involved, and the barrier created
between partners may cause tension in a relationship.
To help ease the tension and improve healthy communication
regarding natural birth control., men can be involved more by
receivingmoreinformation.Ambienttechnologiesofferthemeansto
share and display information by discreet and simple methods, ideal
for communicating information regarding natural birth control.
a m b i e n t c o m m u n i c at i o n
Manywomanpracticingnaturalbirthcontrolrelyonexistingsoftware
to document and predict ovulation cycles. Ovü extends the system
by establishing a wireless connection with existing software tools
and extrapolating only the prediction data. Ovü displays the data
as binary information: a soft blue LED light indicates the woman is
ovulating. No light indicates she is not. Placed away in the bedroom,
the topic remains private. Tension surrounding the topic may now
be relieved through shared information.

12. U n o b t r u s i v e
w o m a n ’ s c h o i c e
I n v o lv e b o t h p a r t n e r s
L i m i t e d f u n c t i o n s e t

13. s h a r i n g t h e m o m e n t
d i g i ta l p h o t o a l b u m
Family Communication

14. d i s ta n c el a n g u a g ea g e
p r o b l e m r e p o s i t i o n i n g
c o n c e p t s k e t c h i n g
c o m m u n i c at i o n b a r r i e r s
Families constantly struggle with communication problems,
but most cannot be solved by a mere product. The problems are
primarily attributed to a lack of shared information; a lack of
common experiences or interest. Keeping this in mind, the causes
for communication problems can be determined.
My personal goal to achieve greater and better communication with
mygrandparentswastheframeworkfordevelopmentofthesolution.
Understanding the actual causes of communication gaps resulted in
the proposition for a solution brief: resolve the barriers of distance,
language differences, and age. These barriers truncate a great
deal of information I attempt to communicate to my grandparents.
Resolving them can facilitate and encourage communication across
current and future communication devices.

15. m o c k- u p s a n d t e s t i n g
m o d e l u s e
c o m m u n i c at i o n b r i d g e s
The ability to share artifacts, experiences, knowledge, and
establishing shared interest in subject matter encourages
communication. This insight was the most important discovery
that validated every detail in the solution: a digital photo album
that wirelessly connects to an online sharing center. Uploading
content to the website directly corresponds to the three pages of the
album: pictures, video, and PDFs. The separate pages and textured
cover reference traditional photo albums. Separate pages provide
a limited function that decreases confusion. Solid state memory,
OLEDs, and durable plastics keep the form slim and light. Power
and USB connectivity are available in the “binding” where paper-
thin wires connect to the pages. An indicator LED light pulses gently
when new media has been transferred to the album.
Distanced family members can share media instantly without
accessing a computer. Elderly members no longer need to feel
intimidated by a technology with a steep learning curve. Where
language differences impede, pictures speak the thousand
words. The interaction with shared artifacts is more active and
communication is encouraged through a common and simple
interface that spotlights the content rather than accessing it.

16. a r t i f a c t s
e x p e r i e n c e s
k n o w l e d g e
i n t e r e s t

17. l e t ’ s g o t o t h e m o v i e s
f a n y a k a p l a n
Art Director, Codirector
a l l t h at i s h u m a n
Art Director, Codirector

18. a r t d i r e c t i o n
d i r e c t i o n
a c t i n g
b l i n d b e t r a y a l
August 1918, Russia: Fanya Kaplan, a zealous Socialist
Revolutionaryinvolvedinpastterroristactsinrevolutionary
Russia, attempts the assassination of Vladimir Lenin with
the help of two party mercenaries. This film is based on
true events.

19. a r t d i r e c t i o n
d i r e c t i o n
d y s t o p i a n f u t u r e
The film explores the nature of humanity and human sexuality in a
desolate and isolated future where interaction is mediated entirely
through cyberspace and the nature of human instincts are lost.

20. t h a n k y o u f o r ta k i n g a l o o k
c o n ta c t
a 2309 Crestcliff Dr.
Tucker, GA 30084
c 404.510.6348
e gluzmanm@gmail.com
w michaelgluzman.com and
flickr.com/photos/gluzman