Duolingo Logo

Duolingo LogoDuolingo Logo PNG

The Duolingo logo shows that the site is a path to wisdom and development. There is so much useful information that it is crowded on the portal’s pages. The emblem calls to awaken the inner child, striving for knowledge, and take away some of the information.

Duolingo: Brand overview

Founded:27 November 2011
Founder:Luis von Ahn, Severin Hacker
Headquarters:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Website:duolingo.com
Duolingo is one of the most popular language services and the best online learning assistant. The service consists of a website of the same name, a mobile application, and a set of language proficiency tests (exam). It operates on a freemium system, offering a basic package for free and an additional paid package. Its list includes 38 languages ​​of the world, in which nearly 100 courses have been compiled. The founders of the project are Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker. The head office is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA).

Meaning and History

Duolingo Logo History

This service was created at Carnegie Mellon University in 2009 by a professor and his student. Then a group joined the project, which subsequently supported and developed it. Among them were specialists from different fields of activity, so that the language courses were equally well adapted to the Internet space and mobile devices. This thoughtfulness contributed to the quick recognition of the company’s logo and the demand for its products.

Luis von Ahn is from Guatemala. It was difficult for him to adapt to the new linguistic environment, so he thought about many other people’s similar situation. Reflections have turned into a unique project for the study of foreign languages. The work was joined by a student Severin Hacker who came from Zug (Switzerland). He, like his leader, believes that free education will change the world. Hacker is now the company’s CTO.

The pilot launch of the project took place in 2010. And in November 2011, a test version was offered to users. In the early years, a temporary emblem consisting only of the name was used to identify the product. Later, other options appeared with the original talisman – an owl, a symbol of intelligence, wisdom, and knowledge.

What is Duolingo?

It is a popular platform for learning foreign languages and a resource for translating. It allows you to learn other languages and controls the quality of the assimilation of knowledge by testing. The service appeared in 2010 thanks to the efforts of Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker. For 2021, it contained 106 language courses. Its head office is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

2010

Duolingo Logo 2010

When launching the closed beta version, the authors used the project’s name, beating it with several graphic tricks. First, the compound word’s semantic parts are divided by color into two fragments: “duo” – black, “lingo” – gray. Secondly, under the first three letters, there is an arc in the form of a welcoming smile because “d” and “o” look like eyes, and “u” – like a nose. The result is a good-natured emoticon. At the same time, on this basis, a prototype of the talisman appeared.

2011 – 2012

Duolingo Logo 2011-2012

After testing, the language service received an official distribution and a corrected logo. Choosing the same lowercase lettering with rounded letters, the designers changed its palette. They unified the color in favor of green. In this form, the inscription was used until 2019.

The mascot has also changed: the owl also turned green. Also, the logo designers lowered the right-wing, which was depicted in an invitation gesture. Therefore, the bird just froze in anticipation.

2012 – 2013

Duolingo Logo 2012-2013

A year later, the designers modernized the icon and depicted the owl more naturally. They removed the letters “d,” “u,” and “o” that replaced the bird’s beak and eyes, drew a tail for it, lengthened its wings, and added over-eye plumage. The color of the logo’s authors was made with a gradient transition from light green (in the center) to dark green (along the edges).

2013 – 2019

Duolingo Logo 2013-2019

The Duolingo administration decided to redesign the logo to look friendly. For this, the developers used an animation style that turned the owl into a pleasant character. She has depicted her wings spread wide as if she is ready to accept everyone who wants to study foreign languages. Emotions and dynamics are expressed in the eyes’ sparkle, raised “ears,” and in widely spaced legs, like a bird moving forward. By the way, the classic four-toed paws have been replaced with point ones – in the form of two yellow spots of different sizes, according to the location of the first and second plans. The color in the central zone of the logo is light green; along the edges, it is dark green.

2019 – today

Duolingo Logo 2019-present

In 2019, there was a total transition to another logo, which is radically different from the previous ones. The site’s name, course, and application are executed in streamlined symbols, where there is not a single perfectly straight line or sharp corner. Even the wide “i” and “l” sides are not as straight as they are. The protruding elements of the word “duolingo” have oblique cuts, and the “g” is shaped like an owl with a single feather sticking upon its head. The designers returned the side legs to the letters “u” and “n.”

The bird’s image also changed – it began to convey different emotions, including bewilderment, glee, joy. The bird is depicted either with lowered wings or with raised, with an open or closed beak. Moreover, the developers simplified the icon: the fluff around the eyes became larger, and three miniature semicircles of a light shade appeared on the stomach. The gradient transition has disappeared.

Duolingo: Interesting Facts

Duolingo, launched in 2011 by Luis von Ahn and Severin Hacker, is a widely used language-learning app that’s changed how people approach learning new languages.

  1. Starting Point: The founders wanted to make learning languages free and fun while helping to translate the web. Their mission was simple: education should be accessible to everyone.
  2. Rapid Growth: From offering a few languages, Duolingo has expanded to over 30 languages, attracting millions of users worldwide. It’s become a go-to app for many language learners.
  3. Game-Like Learning: Duolingo uses a gamification approach, turning learning into a game with points, levels, and instant feedback. This method helps keep learners motivated and better retain information.
  4. Community-Created Content: Volunteers and language experts create many of Duolingo’s lessons, ensuring high-quality content constantly improves.
  5. Duolingo English Test: They’ve also created an affordable and widely accepted English proficiency test, offering an alternative to traditional exams that can be expensive and daunting.
  6. Personalized Learning with AI: Duolingo uses artificial intelligence to tailor the learning experience to each user’s pace and needs, making lessons more effective.
  7. Preserving Languages: The app contributes to reviving endangered languages, offering courses in Welsh, Hawaiian, and Scottish Gaelic, among others.
  8. Focus on Research: Duolingo is committed to improving language education, with a dedicated team researching the most effective teaching methods.
  9. Freemium Model: While Duolingo is free, it also offers a subscription service, Duolingo Plus, for additional features. This model supports the app’s growth and mission to provide free education.
  10. Cultural Relevance: The platform ensures its content is culturally relevant, incorporating idiomatic expressions and cultural notes to make learning more engaging.

Duolingo’s success story highlights its innovative approach to education, the importance of community input, and how technology can make learning accessible and enjoyable for everyone, no matter where they are.

Font and Colors

Duolingo Emblem

The designers placed a key emphasis on a light shade of green, using it both for the inscription and for the owl. Her image is also central because this bird personifies wisdom.

Duolingo Symbol

The logo is dominated by a grotesque rounded font of two types. Earlier versions used a typeface reminiscent of Torus Bold or Auro Bold, while the current version uses a typeface reminiscent of the Torus Bold or Auro Bold. This is a custom development for Duolingo – patented, not licensed by other brands. Bright green was chosen for its deep symbolism of growth and development. Moreover, different shades are used in the emblems of different years.

Duolingo color codes

Lime GreenHex color:#58cd00
RGB:28 205 0
CMYK:57 0 100 20
Pantone:PMS 802 C

What do the symbols mean in Duolingo?

Symbols in Duolingo are related to the learning process. The yellow ring is an indicator of personal progress in mastering the words of a particular course. A gray icon indicates that the level is locked, and the previous ones should be completed. The small number in the lower right corner is the user’s level. The lock is a checkpoint with tests. There are also many other symbols associated with the lessons.

What is the font of the Duolingo logo?

Duolingo logos have used different fonts at different times. These are mainly Torus Bold and Auro Bold. For the headlines on the site, the company chose a different typeface – an individual design created specifically for the training resource. She is called Feather Bold.

What does the Duolingo logo mean?

The Duolingo logo features an owl, a symbol of wisdom and knowledge. Each stage in the evolution of identity was drawn in different styles. The first option was neutral, with the word “duo” instead of eyes and beak. In 2012, the designers removed the letters from the owl’s face and no longer used them, and she began to convey a variety of emotions. The modern emblem is made in a cartoon design.