Simplifying the portable animation stand

In order to make animation more accessible and mobile across locations, the Animate Materials Workshop developed its own open-access multiplane prototype, called the “nimble multiplane,” that can be manufactured in a local digital fabrication lab or makerspace. Our stand design needs the following:

Studio multiplane animation stands, such as the most famous multiplane patented by the Walt Disney Studio, were very large, expensive, and unable to be easily transferred from one location to another. Many independent animators make their own stands using custom wood or premade shelving units with hardware modifications. DIY solutions are more accessible to artists, but they are still fairly bulky and difficult to move or alter.

(2pc) plywood, 19 x 24 x 1⁄4 inches
(1pc) plywood, 9.5 x 24 x 1⁄4 inches (you can purchase a larger piece of ¼ inch plywood and cut it down to make the 3 needed pieces)
(3pc+) 12 x16 inch standard glass/acrylic sheets (as many as you want for your stand, with a maximum of 15 possible)
“Nimble Animaton Stand” Vector File
digital laser cutter
Sea Song, Richard Reeves, 1999, Canada, 4 min 30s.

assembly in progress

The goal of this nimble multiplane project was to develop a readily available and approachable design for anyone with access to some plywood and a local makerspace. Studio multiplane animation stands, such as the most famous multiplane patented by the Walt Disney Studio, are large, expensive, and unable to be easily transferred from one location to another. Many independent animators make their own stands using custom wood or premade shelving units with hardware modifications. DIY solutions are more accessible to artists, but they are still fairly bulky and difficult to move or alter.

This animation stand is easy to assemble and ready to use by an artist with any level of animation experience. The portability of this stand allows for non-permanent shooting setups and outdoor shooting, ideal for artists without dedicated studio spaces. The modular nature of the beam placement allows for however many layers you would want, and including a phone holder with the stand reduces the barrier of entry towards the animation medium.

Erik Asia, a graduate student at Emily Carr University of Art + Design, designed, prototyped, and constructed the stand from start to finish. Four prototypes were made – two cardboard and two plywood – before they were reviewed, user tested, and modified at each stage with feedback from the Animate Materials Workshop team.

the team during one of many feedback meetings

The initial two cardboard prototypes focused on the preliminary structure and form of the stand: a basic frame, structural braces, and one beam for each glass plane to sit. Feedback emphasized minimizing unnecessary parts to reduce bulkiness and adding the option to readjust and move the planes holding the glass in order to allow for flexible shooting distance. Additionally, a top layer capable of holding and flexibly readjusting a cellphone or light user camera was suggested.

The subsequent plywood prototype stages focused on stability and refining the fit of each piece for easy construction. Overall, the greatest concern in designing the stand were stability issues – a tradeoff for the sleek profile – and loose tolerance of the joineries. To remedy this, support braces were added to the top corners and a wider base was made by tapering the frame. A set of beams with fifteen slots were included to allow versatility and flexibility in height adjustments of layers. These slots have numbered markings to help ensure the planes are properly level. The flexibility of the phone holder allows for both portrait and landscape orientations. The stand’s functionality was tested at this stage by research-creation assistant Marina Levitt, who animated a number of material explorations with the stand and provided feedback throughout the prototyping process. A set of four nimble multiplanes were produced for our workshop, and the stand design files are available open-access to anyone who wishes to manufacture their own.