Duolingo
Duolingo
Duolingo
founded
2011
headquarters
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2010
first logo
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2010
first logo
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
The very first Duolingo logo was created in 2010 for a beta version of the app.
The very first Duolingo logo was created in 2010 for a beta version of the app.
The very first Duolingo logo was created in 2010 for a beta version of the app.
2011
first mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2011
first mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2011, the logo was simplified and turned a friendlier monotone green. Duo the owl was introduced as the mascot to represent approachability and wisdom.
In 2011, the logo was simplified and turned a friendlier monotone green. Duo the owl was introduced as the mascot to represent approachability and wisdom.
In 2011, the logo was simplified and turned a friendlier monotone green. Duo the owl was introduced as the mascot to represent approachability and wisdom.
In 2011, the logo was simplified and turned a friendlier monotone green. Duo the owl was introduced as the mascot to represent approachability and wisdom.
2012
second mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2012
second mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Although this mascot was revised to look more realistic, it goes down in Duolingo history as one of the more menacing ones - perhaps setting the brand up for its future memes.
Although this mascot was revised to look more realistic, it goes down in Duolingo history as one of the more menacing ones - maybe setting the brand up for its future memes.
Although this mascot was revised to look more realistic, it goes down in Duolingo history as one of the more menacing ones - maybe setting the brand up for its future memes.
Although this mascot was revised to look more realistic, it goes down in Duolingo history as one of the more menacing ones - maybe setting the brand up for its future memes.
2013
third mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2013
third mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2013
third mascot
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2013, Duo was redrawn in a more playful and illustrative flat style.
In 2013, Duo was redrawn in a more playful and illustrative flat style.
In 2013, Duo was redrawn in a more playful and illustrative flat style.
2017
evil duo meme
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2017
evil duo meme
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Perhaps the beginning of Duolingo's iconic meme culture began when a user on Tumblr posted a photo of Duo with a gun, threatening them to do their lesson. Duolingo has since embraced this twist on marketing.
Perhaps the beginning of Duolingo's iconic meme culture began when a user on Tumblr posted a photo of Duo with a gun, threatening them to do their lesson. Duolingo has since embraced this twist on marketing.
Perhaps the beginning of Duolingo's iconic meme culture began when a user on Tumblr posted a photo of Duo with a gun, threatening them to do their lesson. Duolingo has since embraced this twist on marketing.
2019
embracing the menace
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2019
embracing the menace
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
After Duolingo posted this graphic on social media, users flocked to respond, making it one of the company's earliest stabs at embracing the menace.
After Duolingo posted this graphic on social media, users flocked to respond, making it one of the company's earliest stabs at embracing the menace.
After Duolingo posted this graphic on social media, users flocked to respond, making it one of the company's early stabs at embracing the menace.
brand refresh
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
brand refresh
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Also in 2019, Duolingo partnered with branding studio Johnson Banks to refresh the logo, typography, and visual assets.
Also in 2019, Duolingo partnered with branding studio Johnson Banks to refresh the logo, typography, and visual assets.
Also in 2019, Duolingo partnered with branding studio Johnson Banks to refresh the logo, typography, and visual assets.
typeface
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
typeface
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
The typeface, reimagined by Fontsmith, draws directly from Duo's owl form, a motif that appears throughout the brand.
The typeface, reimagined by Fontsmith, draws directly from Duo's owl form, a motif that appears throughout the brand.
The typeface, reimagined by Fontsmith, draws directly from Duo's owl form, a motif that appears throughout the brand.
2020-21
world characters
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2020-21
world characters
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Duolingo unveiled World Characters at Duocon 2020. Though the app had already been using storytelling techniques for the past couple of years, Duolingo World made the characters more real by imbueing life into the interactions and storylines between them.
Duolingo unveiled World Characters at Duocon 2020. Though the app had already been using storytelling techniques for the past couple of years, Duolingo World made the characters more real by imbueing life into the interactions and storylines between them.
Duolingo unveiled World Characters at Duocon 2020. Though the app had already been using storytelling techniques for the past couple of years, Duolingo World made the characters more real by imbueing life into the interactions and storylines between them.
world characters reel
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
world characters reel
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Design and animation studio Gunner (later acquired by Duolingo) created this snappy reel for Duocon, showing the vibrant world of the characters.
Design and animation studio Gunner (later acquired by Duolingo) created this snappy reel for Duocon, showing the vibrant world of the characters.
Design and animation studio Gunner (later acquired by Duolingo) created this snappy reel for Duocon, showing the vibrant world of the characters.
2022
path
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2022
path
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In 2022, Duolingo replaced its tree based structure with a linear path in an effort to simplify the UI into smaller, more organized units. This change was met with resistance at first, but has proven itself to be a robust way of teaching.
In 2022, Duolingo replaced its tree based structure with a linear path in an effort to simplify the UI into smaller, more organized units. This change was met with resistance at first, but has proven itself to be a robust way of teaching.
In 2022, Duolingo replaced its tree based structure with a linear path in an effort to simplify the UI into smaller, more organized units. This change was met with resistance at first, but has proven itself to be a robust way of teaching.
2023
new subjects - math & music
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2023
new subjects - math & music
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
Duolingo's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Having done that for language learning, the next frontier is to make more subjects beyond language accessible, starting with Math and Music. Duolingo's blog states, "Math and Music transcend cultures and people, just like languages do. Math and Music power personal growth, opportunity, and connection."
Duolingo's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Having done that for language learning, the next frontier is to make more subjects beyond language accessible, starting with Math and Music. Duolingo's blog states, "Math and Music transcend cultures and people, just like languages do. Math and Music power personal growth, opportunity, and connection."
Duolingo's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Having done that for language learning, the next frontier is to make more subjects beyond language accessible, starting with Math and Music. Duolingo's blog states, "Math and Music transcend cultures and people, just like languages do. Math and Music power personal growth, opportunity, and connection."
2024
Korean or Get Eaten - Duolingo x Squid Game
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2024
Duolingo x Squid Game
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
In a collaboration with Squid Game, Duo's full embrace of the evil Duo meme shows how powerful internet culture and community are. One commenter said, "The person in charge of Duolingo's social media accounts needs a raise or a Nobel peace prize."
In a collaboration with Squid Game, Duo's full embrace of the evil Duo meme shows how powerful internet culture and community are. One commenter said, "The person in charge of Duolingo's social media accounts needs a raise or a Nobel peace prize."
In a collaboration with Squid Game, Duo's full embrace of the evil Duo meme shows how powerful internet culture and community are. One commenter said, "The person in charge of Duolingo's social media accounts needs a raise or a Nobel peace prize."
2025
duo's death
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
2025
duo's death
"Rent nightly from real people in 753 cities in 72 countries."
On February 11, 2025, Duolingo announced Duo's death, leaving the internet in shock and grief.
On February 11, 2025, Duolingo announced Duo's death, leaving the internet in shock and grief.
On February 11, 2025, Duolingo announced Duo's death, leaving the internet in shock and grief.
They then went on to ratio X in this iconic post that insinuates both birds were killed by Cybertrucks. Duo's death has thus far generated hundreds of millions of impressions, showcasing the global reach of the brand.
They then went on to ratio X in this iconic post that insinuates both birds were killed by Cybertrucks. Duo's death has thus far generated hundreds of millions of impressions, showcasing the global reach of the brand.
They then went on to ratio X in this iconic post that insinuates both birds were killed by Cybertrucks. Duo's death has thus far generated hundreds of millions of impressions, showcasing the global reach of the brand.
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handcrafted by jade franson