Empty states & statuses

Project overview

The challenge

A project tracking inbox lacked tailored guidance for empty tab states. When a user had zero requests under a specific status, the placeholder text was generic and repetitive.

I needed to design distinct, action-oriented empty states and matching tooltips so users could easily navigate their workflow tabs without hitting dead ends.

(Generalized to protect proprietary data.)

My strategy

Create headings for each status view.
Write action-oriented subtitles that direct users.
Tailor & link CTAs based on the context of the tab.
Design matching tooltips to use throughout the product for statuses.

Writing sample - empty states & tooltips

Empty states

In review

Title: You don’t have any projects in review.
Sub: Check the [Canceled tab] to see if a project was rejected, or [request a new project].

In progress

Title: You don’t have any projects in progress.
Sub: [Request a new project] to submit a project request.

Canceled

Title: You don’t have any canceled projects.
Sub: Check your [In progress] or [In review] tabs to track your projects.

Status tooltips

Created complementary tooltips to provide active, inline context displayed for projects throughout the system.

In review: We received and are reviewing your project request.
In progress: Your project is approved and is ready on the In progress tab.
Canceled: Your project request was denied and canceled.

Impact & takeaways

Replaced generic text with context-specific, interactive links to guide users to the next most common step.
Reduced user anxiety at friction points by providing the next place to look (e.g., the Canceled tab).
Established a framework of empty states and tooltips for tracking project request workflows.

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