I’m Helena Gabrielle Ong, a writer, artist, and producer working across print and digital storytelling. I’m a member of the editorial staff at The New Yorker. As a freelancer, I write about books, culture, and politics.

ABOUT ME > > >

writing

art & design

The New Yorker Magazine

editorial producer, 2021-present

The New Yorker

Tracking art and story closes, digitizing content, and delivering final assets to the printer.
Link coming soon.

The New Yorker Annual Desk Diary

production lead, 2023

TNY 2024 Desk Diary

Coördinated production of The New Yorker’s annual planner.
Link coming soon.

The Student Life Newspaper

production editor, 2018-2020

The Student Life

Led a team of designers to produce an award-winning, weekly broadsheet newspaper.
Link coming soon.

Painting

freelance

Illustrations

Working with traditional and modern mediums, including oils, acrylics, charcoal, and digital platforms.
Link coming soon.

Snow

freelance

Photography

Shooting for photojournalism, lifestyle, and portraits.
Link coming soon.

profile

hi, hello, i’m helena—a writer and artist based in NYC


I got my start in media at the San Francisco Public Press, covering elections and city policy. Since then, I’ve worked for veteran political reporter Conan Nolan at NBC4 News Los Angeles and as an editorial assistant at World Policy Journal. Before moving to New York, I was a senior editor for The Tempest, a digital women’s magazine, where I covered culture, health, and politics. Currently, I’m a member of the editorial staff at The New Yorker, working in production for the magazine’s print and digital interface.

I also write, illustrate, and fact check. I’ve worked with Saveur Magazine, Prism Reports, and the Los Angeles Review of Books. Outside of work, I'm training to run my first marathon and studying languages. You can find me on Instagram and/or reach out via the contact form.

SERVICES

writing
editing

fact checking
print design

web design
illustration

academic

B.A. Politics & English
Pomona College, Claremont, CA
Minors in Linguistics and Russian & Eastern European Studies
Cum Laude, Distinction in Politics

awards

• Rising With the Tides Storytelling Grantee, Asian American Journalists Association SF (2020)
• 1st Place, Best Newspaper Front Page Design, California College Media Association (2020-2021)
• 3rd Place, Best Newspaper Inside Design, California College Media Association (2020-2021)