30 Under 30: Madison Maxey, Creative Technologist and Co-FOunder of The Crated
photo by Nicolas Maloof
Last week marked the release of our annual 30 Under 30 issue, and because each of these individuals is so interesting, we thought we’d further highlight them by running some brief interviews with them.
Name: Madison Maxey
Age: 22
Neighborhood: Fort Greene
Occupation: Creative Technologist and Co-Founder of The Crated
Who would be your choice for a 30 Under 30?
Zach Valenti
Zach Valenti
Who are your role models in your industry?
The entire team at Adafruit. Nan-Wei Gong from Google’s Project Jacquard, Francis Bitonti .
The entire team at Adafruit. Nan-Wei Gong from Google’s Project Jacquard, Francis Bitonti .
What was a turning point for you, when you realized you could make a career out of something you loved to do?
I think I’ve always been too naive to believe that I couldn’t.
I think I’ve always been too naive to believe that I couldn’t.
What’s some advice you’d have for people looking to get a foothold in your industry?
Make things. Investigate the unknown. Fabricate and learn basic physical computing and coding skills. If you make interesting things, the work will come.
Make things. Investigate the unknown. Fabricate and learn basic physical computing and coding skills. If you make interesting things, the work will come.
Do you feel Brooklyn is still a viable place for young people to build a career?
100% yes. I’m a transplant from San Diego and Brooklyn has provided so much infrastructure and culture for creative growth.
100% yes. I’m a transplant from San Diego and Brooklyn has provided so much infrastructure and culture for creative growth.
Have you ever felt like leaving your career path?
Of course! Life is hard for everyone sometimes and it’s easy to imagine that a new career will stop the hedonic treadmill. I think in those moments it’s important to remember that the grass will always be greener on another side when looking through lenses that are green with envy.
Of course! Life is hard for everyone sometimes and it’s easy to imagine that a new career will stop the hedonic treadmill. I think in those moments it’s important to remember that the grass will always be greener on another side when looking through lenses that are green with envy.
What’s felt like your biggest professional accomplishment?
It’s a three-way tie between getting the Thiel Fellowship, discovering how to create textures for 3D prints using scripts and SLA and creating a programmable LED dress for Zac Posen and Google.
It’s a three-way tie between getting the Thiel Fellowship, discovering how to create textures for 3D prints using scripts and SLA and creating a programmable LED dress for Zac Posen and Google.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I honestly have the faintest idea. Not for lack of planning, but because reality regularly surpasses my wildest dreams.
