Duolingo, the popular language-learning app, has recently made its second acquisition in the design space. Following its 2021 IPO, the company announced on Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of Hobbes, a Detroit-based animation and motion design studio. This acquisition comes after Duolingo’s previous acquisition of Gunner, another Detroit-based animation and motion design studio, in 2022.
Hobbes had already been collaborating with Duolingo on various projects, including the development of Duolingo Music and other animation design systems. With the acquisition, Hobbes’ team of 12 designers, motion animators, creative strategists, creative directors, and producers will join Duolingo full time. This will mark the establishment of Duolingo’s first-ever dedicated motion design team.
Interestingly, the team will continue to operate from their office in Detroit, which is conveniently located across the hall from Duolingo’s Detroit office. This move not only signifies Duolingo’s commitment to the city but also serves to significantly expand the size of its Detroit office.
While the specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, it is evident that design and animation play a crucial role in Duolingo’s success. The company leverages character illustration and animation to create an engaging and gamified learning experience. By incorporating animation and motion design into its products, Duolingo aims to make the language-learning journey more enjoyable and effective.
Ryan Sims, Duolingo’s Chief Design Officer, emphasized the importance of design in the company’s success. He stated that the addition of Gunner to their team had already significantly accelerated their use of character illustration and animation. Now, with the addition of Hobbes’ unique talents, Duolingo intends to further enhance its motion design capabilities. The company firmly believes that a more animated product experience leads to better learning outcomes, as it creates a more fun and delightful learning environment.
In conclusion, Duolingo’s acquisition of Hobbes solidifies its dedication to incorporating design and animation into its language-learning app. By assembling a dedicated motion design team, Duolingo aims to create an even more engaging and enjoyable learning experience for its users. With these strategic acquisitions, Duolingo continues to innovate and demonstrate its commitment to revolutionizing language education.