The Best of Best Review Awards proudly recognize Marko Lazov as the Best Creature & Character Artist in North Macedonia for 2025, honoring his outstanding artistic achievements and groundbreaking contributions to the global film and gaming industries.

This award celebrates not only Lazov’s technical mastery but also his rare ability to breathe life, emotion, and story into digital forms. With every creature he sculpts, Marko continues to redefine what excellence in 3D character art means — setting a new creative benchmark for artists across the world.

A Visionary in the World of Creature and Character Design

In the modern entertainment landscape, where realism and creativity collide, few artists have achieved the level of distinction that Marko Lazov has. Known for his precision, imagination, and technical depth, Lazov’s work transcends the boundaries of fantasy and film, transforming pixels and polygons into lifelike creatures that both terrify and inspire.

From concept to final render, Marko’s creations embody a fusion of anatomical accuracy, cinematic realism, and emotional storytelling. Each character and creature he designs tells a story — one built from meticulous research, sculptural balance, and artistic intuition. His work represents the perfect marriage between technology and imagination, establishing him as one of the most respected names in the world of digital art.

The Path to Excellence: From M3DS Academy to the Global Stage

Marko Lazov’s rise to global recognition began in North Macedonia, where he first enrolled at M3DS Academy, an internationally acclaimed online school for 3D art and game development. It was here that Marko’s remarkable discipline and natural talent first became evident.

From the beginning, he treated his education like a full-time career — working over 12 hours every day to refine his craft, study human and animal anatomy, and develop original creature concepts. His instructors recall him as one of the most dedicated and driven students ever to pass through the Academy’s halls.

In recognition of his exceptional performance, M3DS Academy honored Marko as “Student of the Year”, praising his combination of creativity, technical precision, and relentless pursuit of growth. Under the Academy’s mentorship-based program, he learned how to adapt his artistic instincts to real-world production standards — a foundation that would later help him enter the elite ranks of AAA game studios.

Marko himself often credits M3DS Academy as “a small but powerful part” of his journey, emphasizing that the school gave him the tools, structure, and mentorship to shape his vision into a career.

An Award-Winning Journey: The Rookies, Best of Best, and Beyond

2025 has proven to be a defining year for Marko Lazov’s career. In addition to his global recognition by Best of Best Review, he was also nominated by The Rookies Awards 2025 for Best Creature and Character Artist, one of the most competitive international honors for young professionals in the digital arts.

This dual acknowledgment — from both The Rookies and Best of Best — places Marko firmly among the elite few whose work embodies mastery, originality, and consistent innovation. His nomination highlighted his impressive portfolio, where each piece showcases not just visual excellence but deep narrative sensibility.

Marko’s nomination description summarized it best:

“Lazov’s characters seem alive — each one carrying emotion, history, and mystery. His ability to merge fantasy design with realistic textures and forms is world-class.”

Recognized by the Industry’s Giants

Marko’s work has earned praise and exposure from some of the most influential names in the creative software and entertainment industries. He has been featured and promoted by:

• Adobe – for outstanding creative composition and texture artistry

• 80.lv – for pushing technical boundaries in game-ready creature design

• ArtStation – multiple times as a featured artist and portfolio highlight

• The Rookies – for exceptional use of storytelling in character work

• Marmoset – for exemplary rendering and lighting

• Maxon / ZBrush – for demonstrating advanced digital sculpting workflows

Furthermore, Marko is a sponsored artist of XP-Pen, representing the global drawing tablet brand as one of its elite ambassadors. His collaboration with XP-Pen has included artist showcases, tutorials, and promotional features aimed at inspiring the next generation of digital sculptors.

These industry partnerships further confirm Marko’s influence — not just as a creator, but as a leading representative of digital artistry’s future.

The Art That Defines a Generation

Marko Lazov’s portfolio is a masterclass in visual storytelling. His characters and creatures are not only technically flawless — they carry emotional and symbolic weight, often rooted in mythological or psychological themes.

From Student Projects to AAA Productions

Marko’s professional success mirrors his creative ambition. Even before completing his master’s program, he contributed to several AAA game titles known for their demanding visual standards.

His credits include:

• Back 4 Blood – Character design and texture work

• Mortal Online 2 – Creature modeling and armor assets

• Tempest Rising – High-quality real-time creature assets

In addition, he has collaborated with studios such as Slipgate Ironworks, Star Vault, Volta, and 4A Games — known for their excellence in both realism and cinematic quality.

Today, Marko is a Creature Character Artist at Mundfish, the internationally recognized studio behind Atomic Heart. Prior to this, he worked at Mad Head Games, where he refined his experience in large-scale game production environments.

This rapid progression — from academy student to AAA studio artist — highlights his rare combination of technical depth, discipline, and adaptability.

A Statement from M3DS Academy’s Founder

Stefan Mitrov’s words capture the essence of Marko’s journey — talent refined through hard work, mentorship, and purpose. M3DS Academy’s mentorship model helped him channel his potential into professional success, but Marko’s personal dedication is what truly turned promise into mastery.

A Symbol of Global Artistic Excellence

Marko Lazov’s story embodies what the Best of Best Awards stand for: excellence achieved through passion, integrity, and relentless pursuit of perfection.

He represents a new generation of artists who merge traditional art principles with cutting-edge digital tools — a bridge between imagination and innovation. Through his art, Marko invites audiences into worlds where creatures are more than designs — they are beings with stories, emotions, and depth.

At only 25 years old, he has already reached heights that many spend decades striving for. Yet, his humility and continued hunger for growth suggest that his best work is still ahead.

About the Best of Best Review Awards

The Best of Best Review Awards celebrate the highest standards of creativity, innovation, and craftsmanship across industries worldwide. Each year, we honor individuals and organizations that demonstrate exceptional mastery and global impact within their fields.

This year, Marko Lazov joins the ranks of extraordinary creators who have shaped the world through their art, vision, and dedication.

About Marko Lazov

Marko Lazov is a North Macedonian Creature and Character Artist specializing in the creation of cinematic and game-ready characters. He is currently employed at Mundfish as a Creature Character Artist and continues his Master’s in Character and Concept Art at M3DS Academy.

He has worked on major projects including Back 4 Blood, Mortal Online 2, and Tempest Rising, and his portfolio has been showcased by top industry leaders such as Adobe, ArtStation, and 80.lv. Lazov is also an official XP-Pen sponsored artist and a frequent collaborator with global creative brands.

Marko’s artistic philosophy centers around realism, emotion, and storytelling — values that have made him one of the most influential digital sculptors of his generation.

About M3DS Academy

Founded by Stefan Mitrov, M3DS Academy is an international leader in online 3D art education, providing students around the world with live mentorship, professional portfolio development, and industry-standard training.

In 2025, M3DS Academy was recognized as the Best Online 3D Art and Game Development School in the World, underscoring its role in shaping the next generation of artists. The academy’s alumni now work at studios such as Pixar, Marvel, Ubisoft, DreamWorks, and Epic Games — with Marko Lazov standing as one of its brightest examples of success.