mainframe’s ‘for approval’ cleverly subverts the physical properties of everyday objects

conceived as a internal challenge for periods in-between projects, ‘for approval’ by manchester based motion design studio mainframe is an experimental animation that toys with our perception of how things objects are made, and in what way they should act. arranged into a series of short vignettes, the video presents the viewer with a seemingly mundane item or scene, before turning the narrative on its head in a way that is funny, charming, and leaves you wanting more.  

each new scene presents a fresh way of thinking about the different materialities that surround us

whether it is bowling balls that float into the air, or lightbulbs that wobble like bubbles, each new scene presents a fresh way of thinking about the different materialities that surround us. ‘it made for some interesting comments along the way’, explains mainframe. ‘that egg’s not bouncy enough, the cloth coming out of the tap needs to feel more like water, the bowling ball needs to feel heavier as it floats off…we suddenly realised we were playing our own client (hence the in-joke)’. 

‘for approval’ was originally conceived as an internal creative challenge

while mainframe says it attempts many of these creative challenges, this was one of the rare few to make its way outside the door of the studio. each scenario was produced in maya 2017, rendered in vray and composited in after effects. for more of mainframe’s work, check out their vimeo channel here. 

the video presents the viewer with a seemingly mundane item or scene, before turning the narrative on its head

each scenario was produced in maya 2017, rendered in vray and composited in after effects