About Duolingo
Duolingo’s mission is simple yet ambitious: to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. With over half a billion learners worldwide, Duolingo has become the most downloaded education app in the history of the App Store and the top-grossing education app globally.
The company believes that learning should be:
- Fun : bite-sized lessons designed like games.
- Accessible : free and available to all learners.
- Innovative : built on experimentation, fact-based decisions, and creative solutions.
Duolingo has been recognized as:
- BuiltIn’s Best Places to Work (2023)
- Fast Company’s Best Workplaces for Innovators (2022)
- Fast Company’s 10 Most Innovative Education Companies (2022)
Internship Overview
The Illustrator, Thrive Intern role is a full-time, 10-week internship based in Detroit, MI.
- Hourly Rate: $33–$35 USD
- Duration: June – August
- Application Deadline: January 5, 2026
- Requirement: A portfolio of relevant projects is mandatory
This internship is designed to provide hands-on training, mentorship, and collaboration with Duolingo’s world-class team of artists and educators.
Responsibilities
As an Illustrator Intern, you will:
- Work independently and in small groups to complete challenging illustration projects.
- Develop technical skills through workshops, lectures, and hands-on training led by Duolingo artists.
- Receive coaching and mentorship from a Duolingo Studio Artist.
- Collaborate with peers who share a passion for making education universally accessible.
Candidate Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a second-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration or a related technical field.
- Expected graduation: May 2028 or December 2027.
- Completion of at least two college-level design courses (official or unofficial transcript required).
- Experience illustrating with creative software such as:
- Figma
- Photoshop
- Other comparable design tools
- Availability for the full-time 10-week internship (June–August).
- Submission of a portfolio of relevant projects.
Preferred Qualifications
Exceptional candidates may also demonstrate:
- A GPA of 3.5+
- A strong Duolingo streak (showing commitment to learning)
Why You’ll Love Working at Duolingo
Duolingo invests in the holistic well-being of its employees and interns. Benefits include:
- Language learning opportunities
- Catered in-house lunches and breakfasts
- Company-wide Hackathon events
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and company holidays
- Frequent company-wide dinners, monthly celebrations, and social clubs
- A supportive, inclusive, and innovative work environment
Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Duolingo is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The company does not discriminate based on:
- Race
- Religion
- Color
- National origin
- Gender (including pregnancy and related conditions)
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity or expression
- Age
- Veteran status
- Disability status
- Or other legally protected characteristics.
Community and Social Impact
Duolingo strives to be a good neighbor to its Pittsburgh community of East Liberty. Initiatives include:
- Community Arts Program (2020): Funding public arts projects in collaboration with local schools.
- Expansion of support to nearby communities such as Garfield and Larimer.
- Annual $1 million pledge (2023): Ensuring greater access to quality early childhood education and care.
Application Details
- Deadline: January 5, 2026
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Type: Full-time internship
- Duration: 10 weeks (June–August)
- Hourly Rate: $33–$35 USD
- Portfolio Required
This internship is an excellent opportunity for students passionate about illustration, design, and education. It combines professional development, mentorship, and creative collaboration in a dynamic environment.
By joining Duolingo, you will:
- Contribute to a mission-driven company impacting millions of learners worldwide.
- Gain valuable industry experience in illustration and design.
- Build lasting connections with professionals in the education and technology sectors. Apply Now.
