Electricity drives Polestar cars, but passion powers the brand, and for Color, Material, and Finishes (CMF) Designer Komal Singh, passion has been a guiding force. Raised in Lucknow, India—a city rich in culture, poetry, and cuisine—Komal’s path to Polestar is marked by contrasts.
Her first name means “soft” in Hindi, while her surname, “Singh,” translates to “lion.” This duality reflects her journey, a blend of gentleness and determination that’s evident in her work.
Komal’s early years in India were filled with vibrant cultural influences, from classical dance and theater to competitive speed skating. Books provided an escape, as she was an avid reader and budding writer.
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Her mother, an early influence, introduced her to upcycling, sparking Komal’s lifelong passion for sustainable design. Her first project, a vase made from discarded plastics, showed her the value of repurposing—a concept that would remain central to her work.
During her studies at the National Institute of Design, Komal explored India’s rich textile heritage, learning traditional techniques like weaving and dyeing from artisans who embodied sustainable practices. Later, she traveled to Japan, where she studied the delicate crafts and sustainable values of Japanese artisans.
This exposure to craftsmanship grounded her belief that “waste is a design flaw,” a principle she applies to her work at Polestar.
After a brief stint in the fashion industry, Komal felt restricted by its constant production cycles and lack of focus on resource conservation. Instead, she pivoted to the automotive industry, landing a role in Sweden developing sustainable materials and colors for car interiors.
Seven years on, she finds parallels between the minimalist aesthetics of Scandinavian and Indian design, both valuing simplicity and a deep respect for resources.
At Polestar, Komal’s work aligns with her sustainable ethos. Her CMF team has developed unique material expressions for Polestar models, including Polestar 2, Polestar 4, Polestar Precept, and the upcoming Polestar 5.
Her latest contribution, a “soft tech” material available for Polestar 4, combines her dedication to innovative, eco-friendly design with her Indian roots in resourcefulness and beauty. For Komal, her career at Polestar feels like a continuation of her early experiments, transforming raw materials into premium expressions, all with a commitment to sustainability.
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