Day in my Life as a Product Designer in Montreal | Working In Tech

Hi I'm a product designer in Montreal, Canada.
Here's a day in my life!
Use my affiliate link if you enjoy MERIT beauty: muse.meritbeau...

[@seojinkim8375]

I loved that you included the ambient noise of your environment - made it feel more casual and natural like I was actually going through the day with you!

[@helen_melen]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks ☺️

[@zebrasbean2385]

I hate background music so much prefer this

[@nikekid009]

Yes! That was a nice touch to keep the original sounds instead of drowning it with music

[@JordanS-ww4eu]

@@helen_melenyour cute ❤❤❤❤❤

[@oyku4692]

i love this sm because as a product design major the content is soo limited on yt etc.

[@williknoww]

Good one! Appreciate the realistic day in a life of a product designer, the fact that you stayed real, so well done, would love to see more!

[@helen_melen]

thank you! more to come :) I promise

[@mutabilitas]

i loved this!! i'm a final year compsci student & this kind of workplace & routine seems like such a sustainable goal to aim forward to. thank you for sharing this slice of your life, helen

[@helen_melen]

So glad you enjoyed it ☺️

[@84diore]

please do more working in tech videos. this was so interesting for a graphic design student looking for other fields to pursue :)

[@helen_melen]

noted! it's definitely a video I'll do in the near future :) I studied graphic design and worked in the field.

[@zh_bd]

Hi Helen! I got into a graphic design program and Im extremely excited about it!! This is incredibly inspiring and feels like having a peek into the future, if things work out how I’d like them to. So thank you for giving me an idea of what it can be like, I had no clue I could work both from home and in an office! That’s the absolute dream, thank you for sharing!! 💖

[@helen_melen]

no problem!! good luck on everything :)

[@aderonx]

Hi Helen! I have recently moved into UX Design and I love to see how other designers work, thank you for sharing your day in the life! I have just subbed :)

[@helen_melen]

Noted!! Thank you :)

[@twoinchestall1470]

your channel embodies my dream career and dream aspirations! i literally want to be a product designer and travel lots in the future. im going to uni in september for it, so excited!

[@helen_melen]

That’s exciting! Good luck with everything 😄

[@aemmlt]

You keep it 100% real I love this, plus your colleagues look extra nice. This will be my life in a few months, I'm also a Product Designer ! I cannot wait to move back to Mtl 💜

[@helen_melen]

Thank you! that's awesome to hear :)

[@fahime-ff]

I will be coming to Montreal soon, your vlog helped me a lot to become relax a little.thanks.

[@jamiewalliker]

Loved this!! Especially the candid thoughts, sounds, and even feeling drained and tired at the end of the day. I can definitely relate to that sometimes too!

[@helen_melen]

Thank you!! Much appreciate 🥺

[@alyssajjane]

I relate so much! Started as a grad ux designer this year and I only come in twice a week but the commute is so so draining.. Thanks for sharing this! :)

[@helen_melen]

Thanks for watching :)

[@Colehairlesscat]

You randomly showed up in my youtube feed and I saved this video to watch later. Glad I was able to get to it during my lunch. I really loved the captions you added that allowed us to feel like we were a part of tasks here and there. As many probably mentioned, this does feel casual and cozy. Thanks for bringing us along. I'll be subscribing. Can't wait to see what you have for us next . :)

[@helen_melen]

thanks for the support! I appreciate it :)

[@irisnomo]

Jesus I love your voice, already subbed can't wait for your future content❤❤

[@helen_melen]

thank you 🥹

[@theolaad]

Loved this video, kind wish I was in the video. I'm a Nigerian btw and just started an internship as a Product Designer here in Nigeria. Funny how most of the work activities in your video are the same back here. Hopefully I could get a product design job in Canada and become a citizen

[@manonollivier1993]

I remember visiting your workplace for a training (as a client) when i lived in MTL! Funny you were on my feed today! Will follow for more 🎉

[@helen_melen]

That's funny! thank you :)

[@its_jei]

Yooo I dig the Murakami, boba tea and Kirby pins on your crocs lol

[@helen_melen]

LOL thanks!!!

[@ericaux]

Aw I love this! I'm in Toronto, as a recent UX designer graduate I really appreciate these videos. Would love to see more!

[@helen_melen]

Noted! Thank you 😊

[@isaac_life]

Absolutely loved the video!! really got to see a realistic day in the life of you! cant wait for more ✌︎

[@helen_melen]

Thanks! Really appreciated the comment ☺️

[@SeanDaBomb1]

What a gorgeous product designer

[@helen_melen]

Hiiii 🤪🥰

[@amydel6336]

First time watching you, really enjoyed the vlog!

[@jielsnook94]

Just saw this video of you and I enjoyed it. Also, looking forward to the WFH version. ❤❤

[@helen_melen]

Noted! 😁

[@lee5080]

I really hope to watch more vlogs from you you have a calm energy and I totally love it.

[@helen_melen]

Thank you!! Will do

[@biggem]

I also wanted to study product design , I gained admission to study at Coventry University, but due to some circumstances I wasn’t able to go So I’m studying graphic design in my home country currently Seeing you do this is really inspiring I hope to be able to study product design in the future! I’m really glad I found your channel it’s really amazing!

[@helen_melen]

thank you for the love!! I hope everything works out for you! I also was in graphic design and transition to product design :)

[@biggem]

@@helen_melen thank you! You’re doing a great job!

[@noisabrazy]

I've wasted my nights You turned out the lights Now I'm paralyzed Still stuck in that time When we called it "Love"

[@annikavalladolid]

Loving the work environment! Currently a ux design student and glad I've come across your channel 😍

[@helen_melen]

thank you! :)

[@carolinamenucci]

this video was suggested by youtube and i'm so glad it did! I'm studying ux in toronto right now and it's such a great insight into what working in tech might be like :)

[@helen_melen]

awesome! happy to hear :)

[@bazmrclo]

Hey Helen! Been contemplating a move to MTL from TO since I work remotely, and this video popped up in my feed and im glad it did! Was looking around for some content from fellow asian professionals to see how the vibe was in MTL. Thanks for showcasing this snippet of your life, subbed & looking forward to what other content you put out :) I also heard mixed things about being an anglophone, but was curious if you were fluent in French and how your experience has been?

[@helen_melen]

I do speak french since I grew up in MTL. Most companies that are in MTL require you to speak french and english but it is possible for you to find a remote job and WFH. If you're looking to work in office/hybrid in MTL it might be harder to find a job that is only anglophone but it isn't impossible! The company/role I work in, only requires me to speak english since the company/team is mainly Canadian/American. Hope that helps! :)

[@marce1ooo]

like bro shes the reason why i wanna start beeing a Product designer ,like working like that is a dream ,like LOOK AT THE OFFICE just so sexy wow 6:05 DO YOU SEE THE BACKGROUND ,we need more of that kind of videos i LOVE IT

[@helen_melen]

LOL i'm glad you loved it! :)

[@amynguyen6068]

such a great video Helen! I truly enjoyed it!!

[@helen_melen]

Thank you Amy! I appreciate it 😁

[@FeliciaMesadieu]

Hey Helen! Binge watching as we speak.

[@helen_melen]

means alot thank you!! :)

[@funkyredhead1]

I am subscriber #1000.🥳 Whop! Whop! Great footage.

[@helen_melen]

Hii!! thank you so so much for the subscription. I appreciate it :)

[@helen_melen]

I've been excited to hit 1k and spent my day tracking it, so thank you!!

[@victoriousqueen1995]

Wow that's great and i join started my career as a product designer 🎉🎉❤❤

[@thesamuelnam]

Also a new youtuber. Must've been a lot of work putting this together at work. Ooooft. Keep it up!

[@helen_melen]

thanks for the support! :)

[@Imalliee]

Ahhh I want to be a product designer too! I just graduated highschool two weeks ago and is planning to go to college for graphic design I even took courses in highschool for graphic design. What is the best degree to get for a product designer (or which do u have?) and do u have to be a graphic designer before becoming a product designer? Which job would u say is more challenging🙂!

[@helen_melen]

Ouff those are great questions. I think having a graphic design background gives you a lot of transferrable skills for product design, like visual design and information hierarchy. Between graphic design and product design. I feel like i personally enjoy product design more. When i was doing graphic design in school, i enjoyed it so much because all the projects i did were passion projects. Once i started working in the field, it hit me so quick that these projects are for clients or the company you were for and i didn’t have much room for creativity. It was just spaces for me to produce things for them which made it feel dull and difficult for me to continue. As for product design, i feel like im able to think analytically on how to solve a problem and then create a visual solution for it which made my days more enjoyable since i had a say on visual aspects of my design… this might also depend on the culture of your company you work for

[@hwaitingshiba]

Hi your office looks amazing (esp the coffee / drinks bar)! Are all the food free of charge? And the apartment looks super cool (is it convenient for you to reveal the pricing for that kind of houses XD?)

[@helen_melen]

Yes the drinks at work are free! I live in a house with my parents so I actually don’t pay anything

[@StreetMate]

First time just come across your video from YT and wonder what kind product designs you're working on mostly. Will be nice to see sustainable product designs. Cheers

[@helen_melen]

Hi! I am actually a digital product designer. I don't actually design physical products.

[@sharmainemcqueen6801]

Love watching ur vlog !

[@helen_melen]

Thank you 🥹❤️

[@terragrapher1558]

Hey Helen!. I recently got a glimpse of Product designer and I'm currently doing my 3rd year in Computer Science and Engineering, I'm thinking of pursuing Design in my future, what's the next step I have to take to start my career in Design?.

[@helen_melen]

I think it depends which design field you would like to go into. There are many options. You can either do self taught and have a solid portfolio or if you aren't self-motivated enough I would push to go to school for it and the school would help build your portfolio

[@terragrapher1558]

I thought of pursuing HCI masters, is that fine for this role?@@helen_melen

[@BD638]

Hi Helen, I am a recent Product design grad from Toronto, I am thinking to move to Montreal in 2025. What do you think of the design industry and job opportunities in Montreal? would you recommend it? Any cons? Would love to learn more, xo

[@helen_melen]

Design in tech industry, right now if I am being honest the industry isn't doing too well with layoffs still happening. I don't want to put you down but I think Toronto is alot better place to work than MTL. It's a smaller city and so the pool of jobs is alot less. I don't want to stop you either from moving here either! Things can also change by 2025. Good luck and thanks for watching :)

[@ry77777]

What program or post secondary path did you take? What are your future goals/dreams? 😊

[@helen_melen]

Hi! I took commerce and got my commerce DEC in cegep. Then decided to do graphic design in cegep as well. Goals and dreams - Continue to expand my product design skills since I'm still a junior and also start my long life goal of doing youtube on the side 😁

[@marshelblackmon984]

Hi, whats the roadmap to becoming a product designer?

[@winterbear5959]

Can you tell me your roadmap? Like what major you had or what courses you did to be a product designer

[@helen_melen]

I was actually a graphic designer turned product designer. I never had any formal training in product designer. I think I got super lucky and given the opportunity to be a junior product designer! I will be doing a video on it in it soon. Subscribe if you're interested ;)

[@hennessyfox13]

Your office looks so chill - I find it inspired with videos like this. Please keep up uploading. P.s: Are you a Vietnamese? - My regards as a fellow to you.

[@helen_melen]

Thank you for ur support! I am actually chinese/cambodian

[@hennessyfox13]

nevermind. I like your crocs, by the way :))@@helen_melen 🤣

[@helendeng3822]

So off topic but where is your puffer from? Love it!

[@helen_melen]

Zara!

[@angieeeigna]

hii! this was great to watch if you don’t mind me asking what does a product designer do and what do you use to film I love the quality :)

[@helen_melen]

Oh yes great question, in short we design apps and web application to make the user experience more friendly. I am also using sony zv 1f camera for vlogging. It’s compact and decent quality ☺️

[@angieeeigna]

@@helen_melen oh cool! thanks for answering my question :) do you think you’d ever do a video explaining how to ended up as a product designer? to not get to into it I’m in my first year of CS at uni and I don’t know what career to get into and that has a creative element. But great video and I can’t wait to see what videos are to come :)

[@helen_melen]

Funny you mention! it was in my radar of future videos to do :) I actually was confused too, before I did product design, I did a coding bootcamp. Definitely a video I'll release in the future :)

[@angieeeigna]

oh great! can’t wait :)

[@arkancore]

Love the content, BTW what agency do You work? I mean this one in the video

[@helen_melen]

I don't work at an agency, it's actually a company called Lightspeed

[@monica4158]

you should do more of these types of videos. Give the people what they want! if you want to of course ;-)

[@helen_melen]

noted! thank you :)

[@rafidrabbi]

You're amazing. Crushed

[@helen_melen]

thank you!!

[@giovannilugas3639]

2 times a week to the office exhausting? Imagine a working day (only 1 of the 5) of a construction worker. Be happy.

[@petitebouzin]

when i grow up i wanna be just like you

[@helen_melen]

Lolol i wish i started youtube earlier

[@Motivation_Master786]

Hi Helen, such a nice video I am also a Graphic Designer and plan to move to Canada, whats is the Job opportunities for Designers?

[@helen_melen]

From what i see i think there are many job opportunities but it’s competitive. Good luck on your move and your job hunt!

[@renee3278]

i love your coat! where is it from?

[@helen_melen]

it's from uniqlo :)

[@hiyoriinx]

hi! love the vlog queen^^ do you think i can pursue product design degree as a business major? im a sophomore rn

[@helen_melen]

I think as long as you have a good foundation of design and understand the fundamentals of design you can do it. You just need a solid portfolio.

[@mirandatran]

🙌🙌🙌

[@miramali5202]

Can i know how to apply to work in vogue!!! And sweet heart you only travel to your office two times you should thank your god I travel to my office 6 times a week with four transportations to and 2 transportations from the office 😢😢😢

[@miramali5202]

I want to say that we have things in common i always change my shoes after arriving to the office 😂😂❤

[@helen_melen]

LOL i actually don’t work at vogue! But my office does require us to go in 3 times a week since i live a bit further out i come in 2 times

[@sofiadiaz7188]

May I ask how you got to transition from graphic design to product design? I also studied gd and am looking for a job as a pd but the positions I find all ask for many years of experience in that field :/

[@helen_melen]

Usually most job require you to have several years of experience but apply anyways, you never know! :) If you have no experience you can either try for junior roles or if you want internships are a great way to build your experience. Hope that helps!

[@vinmatano]

where do you find your music for your vlogs!?

[@helen_melen]

I use pixabay! it's royalty music

[@sammwangi7565]

When is the next video dropping?

[@helen_melen]

Hey! LOL I’ve been putting off editing🥲 i do have one video in the pipeline but id say within the end of the month maybe?

[@lindajackson6959]

Love it and subscribe ❤

[@helen_melen]

Thank you!

[@zukhanyenqabeni2058]

Just subscribed because I found this video cool

[@helen_melen]

yayy! thank you :) will post more

[@melaniebenoist9432]

Your a cool chick, great vid!

[@quy1981vlog1]

hihi helo you😊

[@emmanuelduran130]

Pero ven acá! Tu comes más de lo que trabajas en esa oficina.

[@PitchonLucas]

So basically eating then

[@helen_melen]

Good luck on your journey! Cheering for you :)

[@yusufabdullah337]

Do you goota know french to work in Montreal?

[@helen_melen]

Yes and no! Depends what company you work for. People in my company are located everywhere around the world so the main language of communication is english

[@tristodudes101]

obligatory comment for interactions

[@helen_melen]

Hehehe

[@moivala]

Cái tai nghe hầm hố quá

[@Michovic]

Loved this vlog and your job thanks KZbin for recommending it to me subscribed 🤍🫶🏻

[@helen_melen]

thank you :)

[@amydel6336]

First time watching you, really enjoyed the vlog!

[@helen_melen]

Thank you!

[@amydel6336]

First time watching you, really enjoyed the vlog!