BRAND FOCUS Based on the success of this initiative, Disney commissioned Doug to develop a faux flame candle for the Haunted House attraction.
Following Patton Design’s success on American Inventor and its high-impact innovation work with Disney, the firm was commissioned to develop a next-generation faux-flame candle for the Haunted House attraction—one capable of delivering an unprecedented level of realism while remaining manufacturable at scale.
The objective was to create a patented lighting effect that replicated the organic movement and emotional warmth of a true flame, without the safety risks associated with traditional candles.
SUCCESS Doug Patton devoted over a year to engineering a proprietary flame architecture that achieved a remarkably lifelike visual effect. The resulting innovation combined mechanical ingenuity, optical engineering, and industrial design refinement into a fully manufacturable platform.
Multiple utility patents were secured across more than ten countries, establishing strong global intellectual property protection. The realism of the flame effect immediately differentiated the product in the marketplace.
RESULTS The innovation became Luminara—a globally recognized brand and the category leader in premium flameless candles. Based upon the candle’s patent, Disney partnered with Doug to market the Candella and Luminara faux-flame candle technologies—further expanding Patton Design’s role in high-impact intellectual property development. This venture is creating $20 million annually with international sales.
Today, Luminara products are distributed worldwide and have achieved significant commercial success, setting the benchmark for realism, safety, and design quality in the flameless candle market.
The result of our efforts is Luminara, a beautiful, worry-free candle with a realistic flame effect that has become the most famous flame-less candle brand.