Cover: original AI-generated concept illustration with a fictional interface, not a working product screenshot.
Imagine filling in a project name, description and photo captions, then having the upload fail. Should the whole form reset, or should only the failed step need attention?
My starting point would be to keep completed fields, identify which file failed and explain whether the project itself was saved. “Upload failed” should not leave someone guessing whether they need to recreate everything.
I would also distinguish retrying the same file from choosing a replacement. If the original request's outcome is unknown, the app should check its status before offering a retry that might create a duplicate.
Keeping work has boundaries: a shared device may make persistent local drafts inappropriate, and sensitive content should not be retained indefinitely just for convenience.
Where would you draw the line between preserving a form in the current session and saving a recoverable draft? What should the interface tell users before they leave?