When does an illustration help an empty screen?
Draw attention to why the page is empty and what someone can do next. An invoice screen can say “No invoices yet” and explain when one will appear. If an illustration only supports that message, treat it as decorative.
When the picture communicates information missing from the text, provide a short alternative that conveys the meaning.
What does the unDraw license permit?
The published license allows using and modifying illustrations in commercial and personal projects without credit. It restricts redistributing asset packs, making competing services or integrations, and AI or machine-learning use.
Use the selected illustration as part of your screen. Review the terms separately if you want to ship the artwork as an asset pack or give users a way to browse and reuse it. Brand logos have additional restrictions.
How can you check that the screen works without the image?
Sketch a fictional invoice page with an empty state. Use no downloaded illustration, account or customer data.
- Cover the artworkRead the heading and message on their own. Check whether they say why there are no invoices and what happens next.
- Decide what the artwork addsIf it only repeats the message, mark it decorative. If it explains something new, write that information in text so everyone gets it.