Madeline Ashley

ABOUT

I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge.

Sometimes I debate whether changing my own brakes on a cold Chicago day was the best idea.

Spending over a decade in product development and lab automaton has taught me to transcend the notions of good, bad, or best ideas, focusing instead on continually improving upon them. I’ve also expanded on this mindset recently to shift towards advancing my software development chops. Couple that with a reasonable sense of design and intense focus on how we interact with our physical spaces - and below you’ll see a running tally of my my job-like and not-so-job-like things I’ve focused on recently.

PORTFOLIO

LITTERLOGIC

IOT + PERN Stack Concept App

WebApp + custom Arduino motion sensing solution to track Litterbox usage and create fun visual experience for pet owners. Project backlog includes adding data analytics, charting, and improving device sensitivity to minimize false triggers. App is currently displaying live data triggered by my cat, Feta!

REVINYL

PERN Stack Concept app

Ecommerce concept app geared toward audiophiles looking to buy, sell, trade, and discuss their favorite vinyl albums. Collaborated with 3 classmates over 5 days to build Postgres backend, API, User Authentication, and React Frontend styled with pure CSS!

MEET YOUR MAKER

MERN Stack Concept app

Web app serving as a hub to locate, highlight, discuss, or hire local makers who would otherwise not be in the limelight. Styled with pure CSS.

FLASH

Browser Game using Vanilla Javascript

Simon-Inspired browser game with minimalistic yet intuitive UI, dark mode option, and high score tracking.

LEISURE

ILLUSTRATION

Spawned from a family of artists, it's no surprise that I love to draw. Find me a better pen than the Micron 0.05. Go ahead...I'll wait.

SIGN PAINTING

Occasionally I'll pick up a paintbrush, too. Here's a sign I lettered for a restaraunt in LA's Echo Park neighborhood.

METALWORK

In addition to Metalsmithing, I've taken up TIG and MIG welding in the last year, and have The Crucible in Oakland to thank for their awesome exploratory courses in the industrial arts.

TINKERING

3D modeling and printing is a hobby of mine as well. Here's a portafilter holster I designed and printed for my Gaggia Classic setup at home. I hacked the electronics to add lights, too. I've found that coffee-related problems are fun ones to solve.

PERFUMERY

Of all of our 5 senses, I think olfaction is by far the most interesting. I've learned a lot about its mysteries through taking classes at the Institute for Art and Olfaction.

GROWING

I'm fascinated by the natural world, and love to watch things grow. Beyond gardening, Terarrium-building and gourmet mushroom growing have been fun ways to learn.

DRIVING

My Dad spends part of his free time instructing drivers on the racetrack, so why wouldn't I take advantage of that Ashley-family 'perk'? It just so happens I love the thrill myself.
Like Father like Daughter!

BUILDING STUFF

Not dev tools, but power tools! Currently in the middle of remodeling our 130 year old Chicago victorian. Pardon the dust!

AD INFINITUM

While many would consider leisure irrelevant in the scope of one's professional life, I firmly believe that sampling hobbies and remaining curious about the world carries with it numerous lessons about patience, failure, and perseverence.