From Sculpture to Screen: Marcus Aurelius Bothsa Unveils His UX Journey
In the ever-evolving landscape of UX design, few voices resonate with the clarity and passion of Marcus Aurelius Bothsa. Hailing from the culturally rich town of Visakhapatnam in south India, Marcus’s journey is as vibrant as the art that surrounded him from childhood. In this insightful conversation, we explore the roots, challenges, and visions that have defined his career in UX design.
Kendall Kline: Can you tell us about your background? Where are you from, and how did you become interested in design?
Marcus Aurelius Bothsa:
“I’m from the south of India, from a town called Visakhapatnam. I grew up around art—my house was filled with sculptures and paintings rather than furniture. My father was an artist, and my mother was an art teacher. Our daily conversations often revolved around debating why a particular composition worked or why a specific color was just right. Although I pursued a traditional Indian education focusing on Math and Physics, my heart was always with art. I eventually attended art schools, but I realized that computer science would equip me better for the future. During my undergrad, I missed the proximity to art, and that’s when I discovered interaction design. Everything clicked when I moved to the US to pursue a design degree, merging the creative with the technical in a natural and revolutionary way.”
Kendall Kline: What inspired you to pursue a career in UX design specifically?
Marcus Aurelius Bothsa:
“I’ve always been passionate about helping people make sense of the world around them—to guide them to a better state than before. With my background and experience, UX design was the perfect path to create an impact at scale. I’m proud that my work reaches so many people. And if I weren’t in UX, I’d be making music. It’s all about creating experiences that resonate personally and emotionally.”
Kendall Kline: How did your early experiences shape your approach to design today?
Marcus Aurelius Bothsa:
“My upbringing was anything but ordinary. My parents instilled in me the importance of questioning every detail—why did we draw something a certain way? It was a constant dialogue of exploration and debate, often intense and competitive. While frustrating, I now see that those early experiences honed my critical thinking and attention to detail. They taught me that every design decision should be intentional, informed by emotion and rationale.”
Kendall Kline: What has been the most challenging product experience you’ve designed, and what made it particularly difficult?
Marcus Aurelius Bothsa:
“One of the most challenging experiences I’ve had was my first major project at Google. This project pushed me into uncharted territory for two reasons. First, the design problems were entirely novel—there were no precedent solutions to lean on, which was both daunting and exhilarating. I thrive in these moments of creative uncertainty, especially with a team of brilliant minds with whom to exchange ideas. Second, the exploratory research revealed that our target users didn’t want our intended product. Convincing the leadership team, my colleagues, and even myself that pivoting was the right decision was incredibly tough. In the end, trusting that intuition led us to a much more impactful solution.”
Kendall Kline: How do you approach mentoring the next generation of designers?
Marcus Aurelius Bothsa:
“My approach to mentoring is built on three pillars:
1. Foundation: Understand the core principles and theories that underpin design.
2. Tools: Master the tools of the trade—being technically proficient is non-negotiable.
3. Status Quo: Stay updated and critically engage with current trends and practices.
Most designers excel in one or two of these areas, but the exceptional ones are proficient in all three. I encourage my mentees to strive for this balance, as it creates a robust and adaptable skill set that stands the test of time.”
In our conversation with Marcus, it’s clear that his journey from a vibrant artistic upbringing to leading-edge UX design is defined by a commitment to continuous learning, adaptability, and an unwavering dedication to improving user experiences. His story serves as both inspiration and a blueprint for aspiring designers aiming to leave their mark on the world.
Stay tuned for more conversations in our “UX Unveiled” series, where we explore the legacy, trends, today, and tomorrow of UX with the industry’s brightest minds.
