In Summer 2023, I embarked on a journey as a Product Design Intern at Duolingo, where I worked on challenging projects and discovered profound insights into inclusive and empathetic design.

Innovating for Accessibility

One of my most memorable tasks was designing a hands-free feature for their learning app to accommodate users who cannot be hands-on with their mobile devices and to enhance engagement. It was during this project that the power of empathy in design became apparent. To ensure the feature would be both accessible and engaging, I conducted multiple user interviews. A recurrent theme was the desire for social interactions and healthy competition. This feedback became the driving force behind my design.

Gamification in Design

I eventually conceptualized a gamified feature that allowed two hands-free learners to compete in a lesson. The competition wasn’t just about who finished first or scored the highest but was intricately tied to pronunciation accuracy, comprehension, and retention. The dual challenge of keeping it hands-free while maintaining the competitive spirit was tough but immensely rewarding.

Duolingo’s Commitment to Inclusivity and Engagement

This experience was a testament to Duolingo’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity. They don’t just want to make language learning accessible; they aim to make it engaging for everyone, regardless of physical abilities or constraints.

A New Perspective on User-Centric Product Design

Exposure to Duolingo’s user-centric approach profoundly influenced my perspective on product design. It became evident that while many companies might focus on broad user demographics, the real magic lies in delving deep, understanding unique user stories, and crafting experiences that resonate on a personal level.

Beyond Design to Empathetic Problem Solving

Reflecting on my summer at Duolingo, I believe it helped me grow, not just as a designer but as an empathetic problem solver, ready to tackle challenges with a user-first mindset.