Empty state usage examples found in the editor;
Empty states are placeholder states when there is nothing to display in a window. They are used to inform the user about the cause of an error or provide helpful links and actions to generate content or perform a function to continue.
Do: Use empty states to inform user when there is no content to show in a window (eg. no network connection, or no search results),
Do: Empty states should be designed to prevent confusion and inform user of what to do next when expected content is not displayed,
Do: Empty states can convey first steps needed to start using a new feature or section,
Don’t: Use empty states to communicate errors, warnings or general feedback.
See more on errors & feedback ->
Don't: Avoid using error or warning icons, as empty states do not always suggest something went wrong. See more on displaying help boxes below.
Blank states are shown when there is nothing to display in a window, for example, when a search returns no results or a broken network connection causes nothing to display.
Don’t: Use blank states where the user needs to take multiple actions to continue.
Don’t: Use blank states for rare situations or edge cases. Check other feedback types to effectively communicate to the user when something goes wrong.
Windows are in an idle state when there is nothing selected to populate it with content. For example Timeline needs the user to select a GameObject in the Hierarchy to display its properties.
Day zero states are used to welcome the user who is new to a feature or section of the Editor, to help them understand the context of the first steps needed to continue.
Empty state messages should use the plainest possible language that can clearly convey the message.
Consider including an action or link to help the user decide what to do next.
In some cases, an empty state with a message and an action might need to be supported with a help box.
Consider including help boxes if the state persists longer than usual, or the attempt to recover from the empty state has encountered an error.
Empty state messages are styled as default text.