duolingo
Personal project
Helping users confidently bring their language skills into the real world — and makes practice feel social, fun, and empowering
ROLE
Product Designer
SKILLS
User Research
UI/UX Design
Wireframing
Interactive Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma
TIMELINE
5 weeks, 2025
duolingo
Personal project
Helping users confidently bring their language skills into the real world — and makes practice feel social, fun, and empowering
ROLE
Product Designer
SKILLS
User Research
UI/UX Design
Wireframing
Interactive Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma
TIMELINE
5 weeks, 2025
duolingo
Personal project
Helping users confidently bring their language skills into the real world — and makes practice feel social, fun, and empowering
ROLE
Product Designer
SKILLS
User Research
UI/UX Design
Wireframing
Interactive Prototyping
TOOLS
Figma
TIMELINE
5 weeks, 2025
THE CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE
THE CHALLENGE
Language learners struggle to apply Duolingo practice in real conversations
Language learners struggle to apply Duolingo practice in real conversations
Language learners struggle to apply Duolingo practice in real conversations
One constant that connects us all is language. Despite the cultural and linguistic barriers between people, learning another language offers a budding opportunity to deepen our perspectives and foster compassion. Duolingo’s interactive lessons provide a valuable learning gateway. However, while real-world application is essential for fully retaining what we learn, Duolingo currently offers limited opportunities to practice language in conversational contexts.
One constant that connects us all is language. Despite the cultural and linguistic barriers between people, learning another language offers a budding opportunity to deepen our perspectives and foster compassion. Duolingo’s interactive lessons provide a valuable learning gateway. However, while real-world application is essential for fully retaining what we learn, Duolingo currently offers limited opportunities to practice language in conversational contexts.
One constant that connects us all is language. Despite the cultural and linguistic barriers between people, learning another language offers a budding opportunity to deepen our perspectives and foster compassion. Duolingo’s interactive lessons provide a valuable learning gateway. However, while real-world application is essential for fully retaining what we learn, Duolingo currently offers limited opportunities to practice language in conversational contexts.
COMPANY RESEARCH
COMPANY RESEARCH
COMPANY RESEARCH
I set out to design a feature that improves learning and retention
I set out to design a feature that improves learning and retention
I set out to design a feature that improves learning and retention
Behind Duolingo’s lighthearted and playful personality is a curriculum grounded in science and crafted by experienced learning designers. I focused on research in order to design a feature that fills this gap with meaningful learning experiences while seamlessly integrating into the platform.
Behind Duolingo’s lighthearted and playful personality is a curriculum grounded in science and crafted by experienced learning designers. I focused on research in order to design a feature that fills this gap with meaningful learning experiences while seamlessly integrating into the platform.
Behind Duolingo’s lighthearted and playful personality is a curriculum grounded in science and crafted by experienced learning designers. I focused on research in order to design a feature that fills this gap with meaningful learning experiences while seamlessly integrating into the platform.
STEPPING INTO USERS' SHOES
STEPPING INTO USERS' SHOES
STEPPING INTO USERS' SHOES
Users want Duolingo to help them reach conversational fluency
Users want Duolingo to help them reach conversational fluency
Users want Duolingo to help them reach conversational fluency
To better understand users’ goals, language learning preferences, and how they currently apply their Duolingo knowledge in conversation, I designed and distributed a survey to 22 Duolingo users.
To better understand users’ goals, language learning preferences, and how they currently apply their Duolingo knowledge in conversation, I designed and distributed a survey to 22 Duolingo users.
To better understand users’ goals, language learning preferences, and how they currently apply their Duolingo knowledge in conversation, I designed and distributed a survey to 22 Duolingo users.
The insights were interesting. The quantitative data seemed to reveal this as a promising problem space to dig deeper into.
The insights were interesting. The quantitative data seemed to reveal this as a promising problem space to dig deeper into.
The insights were interesting. The quantitative data seemed to reveal this as a promising problem space to dig deeper into.
Users expressed alternate ways in which they preferred to learn or thought more beneficial to their experience. With all the learning preferences shared, it became clear that users were pointing out their frustration with not being able to get to the next level, and in turn, their ideation of alternate solutions.
Users expressed alternate ways in which they preferred to learn or thought more beneficial to their experience. With all the learning preferences shared, it became clear that users were pointing out their frustration with not being able to get to the next level, and in turn, their ideation of alternate solutions.
Users expressed alternate ways in which they preferred to learn or thought more beneficial to their experience. With all the learning preferences shared, it became clear that users were pointing out their frustration with not being able to get to the next level, and in turn, their ideation of alternate solutions.
FINDING THE ROOT PROBLEM
FINDING THE ROOT PROBLEM
FINDING THE ROOT PROBLEM
Over-reliance on direct translation leads to plateaus
Over-reliance on direct translation leads to plateaus
Over-reliance on direct translation leads to plateaus
In an attempt to explicitly pinpoint the root problem of this uncomfortable stagnation, I went on Reddit (the land of all unfiltered thoughts). A certain sentiment kept reoccurring: Duolingo's lessons have a strong focus on direct translation which tends to neglect the vocabulary recall muscle.
In an attempt to explicitly pinpoint the root problem of this uncomfortable stagnation, I went on Reddit (the land of all unfiltered thoughts). A certain sentiment kept reoccurring: Duolingo's lessons have a strong focus on direct translation which tends to neglect the vocabulary recall muscle.
In an attempt to explicitly pinpoint the root problem of this uncomfortable stagnation, I went on Reddit (the land of all unfiltered thoughts). A certain sentiment kept reoccurring: Duolingo's lessons have a strong focus on direct translation which tends to neglect the vocabulary recall muscle.
MAIN PAIN POINTS
MAIN PAIN POINTS
MAIN PAIN POINTS
Learners feel unprepared and anxious in real-world conversations
Learners feel unprepared and anxious in real-world conversations
Learners feel unprepared and anxious in real-world conversations
I synthesized my research through affinity mapping in order to identity specific patterns. Users expressed a desire to be in challenging scenarios where their vocabulary recall is strengthened. Without such scenarios, users start to feel a plateau in their learning. And entering real life conversations, they worry about their ability to remember the material they've learned.
I synthesized my research through affinity mapping in order to identity specific patterns. Users expressed a desire to be in challenging scenarios where their vocabulary recall is strengthened. Without such scenarios, users start to feel a plateau in their learning. And entering real life conversations, they worry about their ability to remember the material they've learned.
lack of conversational practice exercising vocab recall
lack of conversational practice
lack of conversational practice with recall
Direct translation fails to put users in situations where they have to form sentences on their own.
Direct translation fails to put users in situations where they form sentences on their own.
Direct translation fails to put users in situations where they form sentences on their own.
nervousness stems from how their efforts are received
nervousness stems from how their efforts are received
nervousness stems from how their efforts are received
Users are not so much worried about the fluency of the other person, but moreso themselves.
Users are not so much worried about the fluency of the other person, but moreso themselves.
Users are not so much worried about the fluency of the other person, but moreso themselves.
limited practice beyond basics and sentence structure
limited practice beyond basics and sentence structure
limited practice beyond basics and sentence structure
Duolingo feels like a supplemental tool due to its plateau after teaching the fundamentals.
Duolingo feels like a supplemental tool due to its plateau after teaching the fundamentals.
Duolingo feels like a supplemental tool due to its plateau after teaching the fundamentals.
RESEARCHING EFFECTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES
RESEARCHING EFFECTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES
RESEARCHING EFFECTIVE LEARNING TECHNIQUES
Research points to AI, immersion, and consistency as keys to success
Research points to AI, immersion, and consistency as keys to success
Research points to AI, immersion, and consistency as keys to success
Sources from Duolingo and Harvard highlighted the effects of leveling up on performance, the complexities of language that is omitted with direct translation, and the importance of leveraging AI, immersion, and consistency for learning a new language.
Taking this into consideration for the ideation stage, I brainstormed a number of ideas that touched upon either some or all AI, immersion, and consistency while moving away from direct translation.
Sources from Duolingo and Harvard highlighted the effects of leveling up on performance, the complexities of language that is omitted with direct translation, and the importance of leveraging AI, immersion, and consistency for learning a new language.
Taking this into consideration for the ideation stage, I brainstormed a number of ideas that touched upon either some or all AI, immersion, and consistency while moving away from direct translation.
Sources from Duolingo and Harvard highlighted the effects of leveling up on performance, the complexities of language that is omitted with direct translation, and the importance of leveraging AI, immersion, and consistency for learning a new language.
Taking this into consideration for the ideation stage, I brainstormed a number of ideas that touched upon either some or all AI, immersion, and consistency while moving away from direct translation.
REDIRECTION
REDIRECTION
REDIRECTION
Duolingo introduced Lily, its first AI chat feature
Duolingo introduced Lily, its first AI chat feature
Duolingo introduced Lily, its first AI chat feature
At this point, my idea was either speaking to an AI bot or creating a new lesson type along the learning path that entailed responding to an open prompt. But midst ideation, I stumbled upon one of Duolingo's newest features.
At this point, my idea was either speaking to an AI bot or creating a new lesson type along the learning path that entailed responding to an open prompt. But midst ideation, I stumbled upon one of Duolingo's newest features.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
I designed a prompt-based practice tool that’s free and immersive
I designed a prompt-based practice tool that’s free and immersive
I designed a prompt-based practice tool that’s free and immersive
I knew that I still wanted to go the direction where users have to respond to a prompt in order to practice recalling from their language bank. But now, I wanted to focus on a feature that would uphold Duolingo's core values of free and accessible for all people.
I knew that I still wanted to go the direction where users have to respond to a prompt in order to practice recalling from their language bank. But now, I wanted to focus on a feature that would uphold Duolingo's core values of free and accessible for all people.
I knew that I still wanted to go the direction where users have to respond to a prompt in order to practice recalling from their language bank. But now, I wanted to focus on a feature that would uphold Duolingo's core values of free and accessible for all people.
Study path response
Study path response
Potentially free
Potentially free
Does not promote user interaction
Does not promote user interaction
Friend conversation streaks
Friend conversation streaks
Profile entry point not intuitive
Profile entry point not intuitive
Overwhelming
Overwhelming
ITERATING ON FEEDBACK
ITERATING ON FEEDBACK
ITERATING ON FEEDBACK
Practicing with friends helps reduce fear of judgment
Practicing with friends helps reduce fear of judgment
Practicing with friends helps reduce fear of judgment
Some interviewees had shared that conversing with friends might make practicing more comfortable. I thought this could be a potential solution especially since a main pain point was worrying about receiving judgement.
Upon feedback on my midfis, I made adjustments to ensure this feature was discoverable, encouraging, and dynamic in order to promote consistency, immersion, and community.
Some interviewees had shared that conversing with friends might make practicing more comfortable. I thought this could be a potential solution especially since a main pain point was worrying about receiving judgement.
Upon feedback on my midfis, I made adjustments to ensure this feature was discoverable, encouraging, and dynamic in order to promote consistency, immersion, and community.
Some interviewees had shared that conversing with friends might make practicing more comfortable. I thought this could be a potential solution especially since a main pain point was worrying about receiving judgement.
Upon feedback on my midfis, I made adjustments to ensure this feature was discoverable, encouraging, and dynamic in order to promote consistency, immersion, and community.
FINAL SOLUTION
FINAL SOLUTION
FINAL SOLUTION
AI-powered conversation quests with friends
AI-powered conversation quests with friends
AI-powered conversation quests with friends
Practice having a conversation in your new language with a friend under the quests tab. An AI-generated prompt will initiate the conversation so you both can get right into chatting.
Practice having a conversation in your new language with a friend under the quests tab. An AI-generated prompt will initiate the conversation so you both can get right into chatting.
Practice having a conversation in your new language with a friend under the quests tab. An AI-generated prompt will initiate the conversation so you both can get right into chatting.
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
Not being able to translate something should not set you back
Not being able to translate something should not set you back
Not being able to translate something should not set you back
Tap on a word or character from your friend's message in order to reveal the translation in your default language. This way, you can not only reinforce the meaning of this word, but also feel motivated continuing the conversation.
Tap on a word or character from your friend's message in order to reveal the translation in your default language. This way, you can not only reinforce the meaning of this word, but also feel motivated continuing the conversation.
Tap on a word or character from your friend's message in order to reveal the translation in your default language. This way, you can not only reinforce the meaning of this word, but also feel motivated continuing the conversation.
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
Friends who grow together, stick together
Friends who grow together, stick together
Friends who grow together, stick together
High five your friend when you've both shared a conversation. And if they haven't responded yet? Give them a nudge with a comforting—or even sassy—message. Consistency and a motivating environment are key.
High five your friend when you've both shared a conversation. And if they haven't responded yet? Give them a nudge with a comforting—or even sassy—message. Consistency and a motivating environment are key.
High five your friend when you've both shared a conversation. And if they haven't responded yet? Give them a nudge with a comforting—or even sassy—message. Consistency and a motivating environment are key.
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
DESIGN DECISION
Cross-language functionality
Cross-language functionality
Cross-language functionality
Practice conversing with friends even when they're learning another language. The grey text indicates the language the user is actually learning.
Practice conversing with friends even when they're learning another language. The grey text indicates the language the user is actually learning.
Practice conversing with friends even when they're learning another language. The grey text indicates the language the user is actually learning.
There are many differing complexities between languages. I thought the way Google Translate's NTM handled this best by not only translating word-by-word for complete context, but also replacing idioms and filler words with similar ones in the translated language.
There are many differing complexities between languages. I thought the way Google Translate's NTM handled this best by not only translating word-by-word for complete context, but also replacing idioms and filler words with similar ones in the translated language.
There are many differing complexities between languages. I thought the way Google Translate's NTM handled this best by not only translating word-by-word for complete context, but also replacing idioms and filler words with similar ones in the translated language.
reflections 🐛
reflections 🐛
reflections 🐛
the fine balance
the fine balance
the fine balance
Getting to work on Duolingo pushed me to always stay grounded in research. Duolingo’s curriculum being backed by science challenged me to explore consciously—to consistently ask myself of the intention behind my designs. I felt deeply fulfilled doing so!
Getting to work on Duolingo pushed me to always stay grounded in research. Duolingo’s curriculum being backed by science challenged me to explore consciously—to consistently ask myself of the intention behind my designs. I felt deeply fulfilled doing so!
Getting to work on Duolingo pushed me to always stay grounded in research. Duolingo’s curriculum being backed by science challenged me to explore consciously—to consistently ask myself of the intention behind my designs. I felt deeply fulfilled doing so!
keep moving, just keep moving
keep moving, just keep moving
keep moving, just keep moving
This was a quick project cycle in the midst of midterms and events. It taught me to not only think thoughtfully, but to also think fast. In order to see if things work, I tried it out first and went back if needed. This went for research and design ideation.
This was a quick project cycle in the midst of midterms and events. It taught me to not only think thoughtfully, but to also think fast. In order to see if things work, I tried it out first and went back if needed. This went for research and design ideation.
This was a quick project cycle in the midst of midterms and events. It taught me to not only think thoughtfully, but to also think fast. In order to see if things work, I tried it out first and went back if needed. This went for research and design ideation.