Education
He completed his apprenticeship as cabinetmaker in 1942. In 1946, he graduated from the Furniture Design Department of the School of Arts, Crafts and Design in Copenhagen, where he also lectured 1953-1956.
He completed his apprenticeship as cabinetmaker in 1942. In 1946, he graduated from the Furniture Design Department of the School of Arts, Crafts and Design in Copenhagen, where he also lectured 1953-1956.
From 1944-1945 he was visiting student under professor Kaare Klint at the Department of Furniture at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. He served as chairman of Danish Furniture Designers 1947-1949. He was instrumental in establishing the Industrial Designers of Denmark and served as the society"s first chairman, from 1966 to 1968.
The couple had four children, but were divorced in 1961.
Between 1968 and 1971, Kristian Vedel organised and led the Department of Industrial Design at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. At Thyholm Kristian Vedel devoted most of his time to cultivating the surrounding landscape, breeding Shropshire sheep, and researching utilization of their wool, hides and meat.
Influenced by Kaare Klint and the German Bauhaus school, his "classic modern" designs are characterized by creative use of materials, especially plastics and wood, and with a strong sense for ergonomic and functional requirements. In all respects, the furniture was designed for children according to children"s needs, rather than just being a miniature version of adult furniture.
In an interview, Kristian Vedel stated his position as follows:
In January–May 2007, Trapholt Museum in Denmark mounted a retrospective exhibition of major works.
As an adjunct to the exhibition, Arkitektens Forlag published a book featuring the works and drawings of Kristian Vedel.