Empty states use three primary visual approaches: icons (simple symbols), illustrations (custom graphics), or text-only layouts. Across 119 instances from 10 enterprise systems, we identified 6 distinct patterns with dramatically different usage frequencies.
The choice between these approaches correlates with product type, context, and brand personality. Technical systems favor icons exclusively, collaboration tools use illustrations during onboarding, and data-focused tools prefer minimal text-only approaches.
Pattern
Frequency
Primary Context
A: Icon + Headline + CTA
50%
Settings, search, technical systems
B: Text-only
22%
Tables, completion states, secondary UI
C: Illustration + CTA
16%
Collaboration onboarding, messaging
D: Dashboard zeros
6%
Analytics, metrics
E: Empty grids
3%
Tables where structure IS the feature
F: Modals, Drawers & Overlays
3%
Complex features, templates
Pattern A: Icon + Headline + CTA
Frequency: 60 instances (50%) Used by: All 10 systems
When This Pattern Appears
Context
Usage
Settings/admin
100% (11 of 11)
Technical systems
80%
Search results
75%
First-use in productivity tools
40%
Collaboration onboarding
20%
Messaging features
10%
Visual Components
Icon: 48-64px, monochrome or brand color
Headline: 3-5 words
Body text: 10-20 words (optional)
Primary CTA: Button with imperative verb
Layout: Centered, vertical stack, 16-24px spacing
Examples
Linear - Issues List
Linear's consistent approach: icon + headline + CTA with no body text. Used across 100% of their empty states.
Headline: "No issues assigned to you"
CTA: "Create new issue"
Linear shows the minimal approach: icon + headline + CTA, no body text needed. Consistent across 100% of their empty states.
Frequency: 26 instances (22%) Used by: All 10 systems
When This Pattern Appears
Context
Usage
Data tables/grids
75%
Completion states
60%
Settings (low-priority)
40%
Filtered results
30%
Secondary UI
Common
Visual Components
Headline only: 2-5 words
Body text: Optional (5-12 words)
CTA: 50% have none
Layout: Often left-aligned within panels
No icon, no illustration
Examples
Linear - Search Results
Pure text-only: no icon, no CTA, no illustration—the search UI context makes additional elements unnecessary
Text: "No results found for 'search'" (6 words)
CTA: None
Icon: None
The search interface provides all necessary context—filter tabs (All, Issues, Projects, Documents) and the search input above eliminate any need for additional guidance.
Stripe - Transactions
Text-only within structure: table headers visible, message explains what will appear. No icon needed.
Text: "No transactions yet"
Body: "From here you'll be able to see all your payments and payouts."
CTA: None
Table context does the work: column headers (Date, Status, Description, Type, Amount) frame the empty state.
System Usage
System
Usage
Notes
Airtable
58%
Data-focused, minimal
Retool
45%
Developer efficiency
Asana
33%
Completion states, tables
Notion
25%
Minimal philosophy
Stripe
23%
Stripe Express (ultra-minimal)
Figma
18%
Notifications only
Slack
17%
Completion states
GitHub
7%
Prefers icons
Linear
0%
Always includes icon
Atlassian
0%
Prefers icons/illustrations
Pattern C: Illustration + Headline + CTA
Frequency: 19 instances (16%) Used by: 8 of 10 systems (never: Notion, Linear)
