Gunner

Gunner is a Detroit animation and illustration studio whose team became part of Duolingo in October 2022. Founded in 2014, it developed commercial animation, branded shorts and product visuals before transitioning into Duolingo's internal creative operation. Its work combines traditional cel animation, digital illustration, character animation and modern 3D techniques.

During its independent years, Gunner produced work for technology and consumer brands including Google, Dropbox, Spotify, Lyft, Etsy and Amazon. Its portfolio spans expressive character performances, illustrated brand narratives and motion designed for software interfaces. Projects range from short-form storytelling to onboarding sequences, showing how the studio applied animation across both entertainment and everyday digital interactions.

From creative partner to internal team

Gunner began working closely with Duolingo in 2020, creating art assets, character animation and marketing campaigns featuring Duo the Owl and the platform's wider cast. The collaboration also included foundational visuals for Duolingo ABC, the children's literacy application. Its contribution connected character-led storytelling with learning products and the visual identity surrounding them.

Duolingo approached the studio about an acquisition in 2021 and completed an asset purchase the following year. Gunner's creative team joined Duolingo full-time, and its existing Detroit studio premises were retained. The operation became known as the Duolingo Art Department and Duolingo's Detroit creative office, supporting product and brand development from its established home city.

Following the acquisition, Gunner ceased taking commissioned commercial work. Its earlier portfolio remains available as a legacy showcase of the independent studio's output. That body of work includes original animated films, documentary storytelling, commercial campaigns and interface animation, providing a record of the creative practice that preceded its integration into Duolingo.