Duolingo is strengthening its creative capacities with the acquisition of London-based animation and motion design studio Animade, as the language-learning platform looks to create a more engaging product experience.
Duolingo announced the acquisition on 13 August 2026, saying Animade’s team will join its design studio. The move is expected to expand Duolingo’s expertise in motion design, product storytelling, interactive experience and character animation.
Duolingo head of design Mig Reyes said, “Great products aren’t defined only by what they do, but by how they make people feel. Motion design has become a core part of how we help learners understand, enjoy, and return to Duolingo every day. Animade has built a reputation for exceptional creative craft, and bringing their team into Duolingo is an investment in the people and capabilities that will help us build even better learning experiences.”
Founded in London, Animade has developed an international reputation for its work across technology companies and brands. Its expertise includes expressive motion systems, interactive experiences and product storytelling.
The acquisition will increase Duolingo’s creation capacity across product innovation, Growth experiments and other creative initiatives. It will also strengthen the company’s creative presence in the UK and support its investment in design talent.
Animade co-founder Jen Judd says, “Since day one, Animade has been on a mission to share joy through thoughtful design and animation. I can’t think of a more exciting place to continue that mission than at Duolingo. We’ve always believed it’s the thoughtful moments that leave a lasting impression, and that great design and bringing personality into every pixel can make technology feel more human. We’re thrilled to join a company that shares our passion for creativity, craft, and building products that genuinely bring people joy.”
The deal comes as Duolingo places greater emphasis on human creativity alongside advances in artificial intelligence. The company said investing in design talent will help it develop intuitive and engaging experiences designed to keep millions of learners motivated.
The acquisition therefore positions Animade’s animation and motion design expertise as an additional creative resource for Duolingo as it continues to develop its learning platform.
