Debbie Millman has an ongoing project at PRINT titled “What Matters.” This is an effort to understand the interior life of artists, designers, and creative thinkers. This facet of the project is a request of each invited respondent to answer ten identical questions and submit a nonprofessional photograph.
Madeline is a creative strategy partner and co-founder of Corner Table Creative, a female-powered content company, built for making memorable connections. Madeline believes great work is never done. Coming from a digital background, she approaches creative strategy and execution with an iterative mindset having deconstructed and reconstructed her favorite pieces of content over and over again to drive impact for disruptor brands and Fortune 500 companies including P&G, Rent the Runway, Heyday, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and Sweetgreen.
What is the thing you like doing most in the world?
I love getting lost in towns I’ve never been to. Although, I used “getting lost” loosely because I am a planner. Before touching down in that town, I likely have already hearted the cafes, wine bars, and local shops that interest me the most on Google Maps.
What is the first memory you have of being creative?
Growing up I was always inspired by my nana’s craft table. There were balls of yarn, a sewing machine, and beads everywhere…thousands of beads. Around 10 or 11 years old, I started making jewelry, learning exactly how to from my nana and my mom. What started as a hobby turned into a small business after being accepted into several juried arts festivals around the state of Virginia. I remember the first time someone purchased one of my pieces I felt really proud of my work and more confident in my eye for design. This hobby ultimately brought me to NYC where I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where I started as a jewelry design student and eventually worked my way into the business school where I pursued my degree in advertising.
What is your biggest regret?
Hmm, I try not to live life with regrets. Instead, make sure I take away a lesson from the things that don’t go the way I had hoped. However, I do regret putting down the jewelry tools. One of these days I’ll dust off the metals, files and pliers…
How have you gotten over heartbreak?
Good food and better friends.
What makes you cry?
The Netflix series, One Day, based on author David Nicholls’s book, absolutely wrecked me recently. Highly recommend only watching if you have at least four boxes of tissues nearby.
How long does the pride and joy of accomplishing something last for you?
Working in digital things move really fast, so by the time one thing is wrapping up, I’m typically shifting focus to something else. That said, when we founded Corner Table Creative it was important to me that we took time to reflect and celebrate the small wins along the way. We have a Daily Wins Slack channel where the entire team shares a win (big or small!) so that we can share the pride and joy in those moments. Today my daily win is …
Do you believe in an afterlife, and if so, what does that look like to you?
Not really but I do like to keep an eye out for signs/things that remind me of loved ones that I’ve lost. A single, stray sock will always remind me of my childhood cat that would “hunt” socks leaving them scattered around the house and a firey sunset at the Jersey Shore feels like the work of my grandpa.
What do you hate most about yourself?
Hate feels like a strong word but something I’m actively working on is relinquishing control.
What do you love most about yourself?
I’ve never been afraid to dream big.
What is your absolute favorite meal?
The hardest question for last! Can my meal be a collection of items from around NYC? I’ll take the little gem salad from the Long Island Bar, the fries and truffle aioli from Dudley’s, the chicken piccata from Bar Primi, and the bread basket at Raf’s.