Introduction Developing principles for the design of embodied conversational interface agents Speak, Machine: Human-Computer Interaction and the Literalization of the Conversational Interface Metaphor Human-Computer Interaction and interface metaphors Direct manipulation and navigation metaphors in the Graphical User Interface Dialogue metaphors of interaction Literal conversation (Natural Language Interfaces) Psychosocial effects of conversing with computers: Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) and Actor-Network Theory Embodied Conversational Interface Agents Defining embodied conversational interface agents A skeuomorphic solution Example agents from research contexts Case study: Mitsuku Example agents from commercial products Case study: Clippy Converging technological trends: the predicted rise of chatbots and conversational agents as everyday things Why design matters in human-computer interaction: aesthetic theory and dark design Designing Embodied Conversational Interface Agents I. Types of Embodiment: Human and Nonhuman Bodies Humanoid embodiments Case Study: Mavis Beacon Nonhuman embodiments Case Study: Replika Robotic embodiments Case Study: Woebot Discussion & conclusion II. InterFACES: Anthropomorphic Design and Facial Representation Why faces work: anthropomorphism and pareidolia Case Study: MacOS Finder What’s in a face: emotional communication Case Study: Cozmo Not just a pretty face: the psychology of attraction and cuteness Anthropomorphization and ability Discussion & conclusion III. Realism, the Uncanny Valley and Stylistic Solutions The Uncanny Valley: what it is and how to escape Case Study: Realbotix Harmony AI The argument for lo-fi design in high tech Case Study: Poncho Discussion & conclusion IV. Designing for the Agent’s Situation Desktop and mobile interfaces Virtual situation Virtual and Mixed Reality Case Study: Gatebox Designing for a social role Case Study: Ask Jeeves Discussion & conclusion EARS: A Framework For Designing Embodied Conversational Interface Agents Acknowledgements Works Cited