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Designing Empty States With Care

Designing Empty States With Care

By Jessica Chang

Empty states are easy to rush because they do not look like the main product. But they often appear when a user is new, blocked, or unsure.

I try to design them with the same care as a primary flow. The state should explain what is missing, why it matters, and what the user can do next.

The tone matters. Too cheerful can feel dismissive. Too empty can feel broken. A calm, specific message usually works better than a clever one.

An empty state is not empty to the user. It is a moment where the product either gives direction or leaves them alone.