I’M SERGIO ORDONEZ

Founder of SOSFactory

I’m Sergio Ordóñez Suánez, known online as Sergio Ordonez, or simply SOS. I’m a Spanish graphic/web designer and illustrator born in 1979 and the person behind SOSFactory — a one-man studio focused on cartoon-style mascot design and character-driven branding.

SOSFactory grew alongside my skills — not just as a designer, but as an entrepreneur. Everything I’ve learned comes from hard work and from generous people who shared their knowledge without expecting anything in return.

That’s why I share what I’ve learned, support others as they grow, and believe in altruism as a true driver of progress. Your progress is also mine.

My Design Phylosophy

While I agree with the idea that design should “communicate, not decorate”, I believe that’s only half the job. Design should be clear and functional, yes, but also visually engaging. Beauty matters too.

“Communicate — and decorate.”This blend of clarity and visual impact defines the unmistakable style of SOSFactory.

MY PATH

I couldn’t tell you how I made it, it just happened by chance…

It all started in 2004 due to an accident – absolutely -, and this accident was followed by many other “accidents”: Numerous low budget clients and endless nights of Photoshop, that turned the portfolio of a newbie comics colorist with limited knowledge about nothing particular, into the beautiful creature that SOSFactory is nowadays, with such important clients as: Hasbro, Nestle or Playboy.

1979 - 1998: Childhood

I was born in 4th January of 1979.
I’m 5, I love drawing and everybody tell me I do it pretty well.
I’m 15 and I express myself with drawings.
I’m 19… I keep on drawing I’m very perfectionist and improve fast.

1999 - 2003: College

I’m in College studying Psychology. I get good marks even though I’m not a good student.
I abandone art for some years.
I like Psychology but not dealing with mental health… I look for other options: Criminology.

2003: I discover Digital Art

I get access to a PC for first time, I love Counter Strike!
I’m 24 and I discover by chance the magic of Photoshop 6.
I create my first mascot designs just for fun (with a mouse) but my skills are mediocre.
My girlfriend insists I deserve my first Wacom Intuos 2 and I give it a try as a comic colorist.
I’m preparing myself to join the Police Forensic Investigation Department… Not really convinced.

2004: I move into design

Comics are fun but not profitable… bummer.
I’m 25 and I’ve managed to sell my first logotype in exchange for hosting.
I get into logo design and I realise that, while my drawing skills are not good enough for the comic industry, they are above average for the design industry. I see an OPPORTUNITY!
I’m determined to learn proper English.
I get a low budget but steady client list thanks to WHT.
I create my first “web page” and I’m determined to learn HTML and get into web design.

2005: I focus on Design

I give up on Criminology and focus on design.
I give up the comics and focus on design.
I sleep during the day and work at night 12 hours, 7 days a week. My priority is not money, just learning.
I’m 26, I work a lot from a small room in my parent’s roof and I’m short in money but for first the time in my life I’m determined!

2006: My first big gig

I’m 27 and at last I’m having a decent wage for the first time… stability, long term plans. I move to Madrid to learn 3d animation.
I design SOSFactory V1, my first -almost- professional web portfolio.
SOSFactory gets its first big client: Funrise Toy Corp.
I create a team of 13 artists all around the world.

2007: I start blogging

My contract with Funrise finishes without prior warning… no clients, no income! Depending on 1 source was a bad idea.
I’m determined to learn CSS. A whole year designing SOSFactory V2, fancy but not usable, it will never come to light.
I get into blogging as promotional tool, SOSNewbie is my first blog.
For personal issues I move to Berlin and give up on 3d… too slow and technical.
Hard work and self-promotion, I’m 28 and I don’t look for clients anymore, they come to me.

2008: I become an authority

Universe gift me with a Wacom Cintiq, I start drawing for real.
I design the first of many MMORPG.
My blog doesn’t generate direct income but Smashing Magazine hires me as a guest blogger.
Envato hires me as a guest blogger.
I’m 29 and my popularity grows exponentially.

2009: I focus on myself

Peritonitis knocks me out for 2 months:(
Rheumatic fever knocks me out for 10 months 🙁
I’m 30 and I slow down and take care of myself, I manage to overcome the year the best I can.

2010: I want to be premium

More knowledge I have harder I find dealing with clients.
I find all clients whimsical, I hate freelancing… my first burnout! ???
I take some time off, I need a new approach and energy.
I’m 31 and I redefine my strategy: YouTube, Twitter, Facebook…
I finish SOSFactory V3, my first website designed for a targeted audience: premium clients.

2011: SOS goes incorporated

SOSFactory V2 attracts the targeted client profile: several important clients knock at our door.
More health issues: pulmonary embolism, I quit a long term relationship and leave Berlin 🙁
I move to Pokermania’s offices in Cologne, my first business partner, lots of projects, lots of fun, lots of money… lots of success… and a dream: creating my own company.
I’m 32 and hire my first staff member joins SOSFactory at Pokermania offices.

2012: I get trapped

I hire my second staff member.
SOSFactory goes great financially but my staff is not reliable, as time pass, I tend to assume more a more responsibilities… stress, bad habits, overwork and health problems again… my second burnout ???, I finally give up.
I’m 33 and go back to my relaxed freelance lifestyle, more focused and organised… I fall in love with Cologne and stay there.

2013: I take a breath

Pokermania works for a while but investors step back so our roads won’t cross again. I continue freelancing for them for a few months.
I’m 34 and have worked really hard for 10 years, I take a breath… the rest of the year work is not a priority and I focus on a personal research and spiritual growth! ???

2014: Celebrity in Middle East

Pokermania goes bankrupt so back to the jungle!
After a few months of hard work and low profile clients I got hired by Toyota in KSA to design Jameel mascot, opening the door to middle east emerging sport market.
I’m 35 and a long time dream come true… I can afford freelancing while traveling, I spend 2 months in Australia.

2015: zombie mode is on

Pixlwise hire me on full time for the whole year.
I focus on Startup Alley game, great idea, great art but not the best execution.
Income is good and the job is fun… SOSFactory is in zombie mode for the whole year.
I move to Mac and I go HD.
I’m 36 and have spent 10 years in Germany, I leave Cologne and get back home, Málaga! I want to settle down.

2016: I settle down

SOSFactory zombie mode is OFF, not many clients and competition is fierce… time to trash everything and reinvent myself.
I transfer from my 3d glossy style to a simpler and a more modern vector look.
Lots of kids selling fancy logos that are not usable in the real world. Crowdsourcing is a virus… I focus on offline businesses.
I start designing SOSFactory V4. My first fully functional WordPress based website targeted to creative agencies.
I’m 37 and I invest most of my savings on real state in Torremolinos.

2017: long term thinking

SOSFactory V4 is published!
The year starts unstable and I get into vacation rentals as an alternative source of passive income. It works great!
I got hired by KSA professional football league to create their team mascots.
I’m 38 and my financial and emotional situation is rock solid.

2018: becoming a Football Star

I got hired by Pyramids FC team in Egypt to design their logo and mascot.
I got hired by Al Wehda in KSA to design their logo and mascot.
For first time I run personal projects just for fun and research, like my sculpture projects and my Worldcup mascotization for Russia 2018 that brings me a lot of exposure.
I’m 39 and 100% focused and committed to my art.

2019: Coming soon...

Currently designing a few mascots for Maersk, the largest container ship and supply vessel operator in the world since 1996…
Currently designing SAN DIEGO 2019 BEACH GAMES mascot design.
I’m 40 and got bald but the year couldn’t start better… 🙂

MY LEGACY

Influencing a Generation of Mascot Designers

My mascot design tutorials have been featured on some of the most respected design blogs, influencing countless designers and setting the standard for professional mascot creation.

Keep an eye out, you’ll probably notice similar designs out there 😉

2008 Smashing Magazine: Create a mascot design in Photoshop
2008 Envatotuts+: SOSFactory style mascot design in Photoshop
2010 SOSFactory Blog: How to create a mascot logo in Photoshop
2011 Envatotuts+: Mascot design in real time order
2013 Crowdfunding: World longest mascot design tutorial
2017 SOSFactory Blog: Design a mascot in Illustrator
2018 SOSFactory Blog: Create a cartoon mascot
2024 SOSFactory Blog: Exercises to improve your character designs

HAPPY CLIENTS

Trusted by global brands across industries

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with a wide range of companies — from startups and media outlets to multinational corporations. I often work alongside creative agencies to bring their ideas to life, offering character-driven design that adds personality to brands.

My work has been trusted by names like Toyota, Nestlé, Hasbro, Maersk, and Salesforce, as well as football clubs, universities, banks, and entertainment platforms around the world.