A　new　topology　optimization　method　is　formulated　for　lightweight　design　of　multimaterial　structures,　using　the　independent　continuous　mapping　(ICM)　method　to　minimize　the　weight　with　a　prescribed　nodal　displacement　constraint.　Two　types　of　independent　topological　variable　are　used　to　identify　the　presence　of　elements　and　select　the　material　for　each　phase,　to　realize　the　interpolations　of　the　element　stiffness　matrix　and　total　weight.　Furthermore,　an　explicit　expression　for　the　optimized　formulation　is　derived,　using　approximations　of　the　displacement　and　weight　given　by　first-　and　second-order　Taylor　expansions.　The　optimization　problem　is　thereby　transformed　into　a　standard　quadratic　programming　problem　that　can　be　solved　using　a　sequential　quadratic　programming　approach.　The　feasibility　and　effectiveness　of　the　proposed　multimaterial　topology　optimization　method　are　demonstrated　by　determining　the　best　load　transfer　path　for　four　numerical　examples.　The　results　reveal　that　the　topologically　optimized　configuration　of　the　multimaterial　structure　varies　with　the　material　properties,　load　conditions,　and　constraint.　Firstly,　the　weight　of　the　optimized　multimaterial　structure　is　found　to　be　lower　than　that　composed　of　a　single　material.　Secondly,　under　the　precondition　of　a　displacement　constraint,　the　weight　of　the　topologically　optimized　multimaterial　structure　decreases　as　the　displacement　constraint　value　is　increased.　Finally,　the　topologically　optimized　multimaterial　structures　differ　depending　on　the　elastic　modulus　of　the　materials.　Besides,　the　established　optimization　formulation　is　more　reliable　and　suitable　for　use　in　practical　engineering　applications　with　structural　performance　parameters　as　constraint.