2026 Illustrator, Thrive Intern – Duolingo Careers

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.