--- title: A Game Developer, Classical Singer and Slot Machines description: University of Advancing Technology alumna Holly Sheppard didn't know anything about slot machines when she graduated with a degree in multimedia and digital animation, but she learned quickly that the development process is a lot similar to video game development. image: https://www.uattech.com/hubfs/slot-machine-1797310_1280.png --- [![image-26](https://www.uattech.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/Logos/image-26.png?width=99&name=image-26.png "image-26")](https://www.uat.edu/) ** - [Home](https://www.uattech.com) - [Majors](http://www.uat.edu/advancing-technology-degrees) - [About UAT](https://www.uat.edu/about-uat) - [Request More Information](https://www.uat.edu/request-info) [![Take a Virtual, Interactive Tour ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3455363/92ff0e66-7821-430b-88c3-a32c82c5bda2) # University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog ALL CATEGORIES - [all Categories](https://www.uattech.com) - [ Advancing Computer Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advancing-computer-science) - [ Advertising Art ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/advertising-art) - [ Artificial Intelligence ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/artificial-intelligence) - [ Business Technology ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/business-technology) - [ Cyber Security ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/cyber-security) - [ Data Science ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/data-science) - [ Digital Maker and Fabrication ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-maker-and-fabrication) - [ Digital Marketing ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-marketing) - [ Digital Video ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/digital-video) - [ Game Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-studies) - [ Human Computer Interaction ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/human-computer-interaction) - [ Robotics and Embedded Systems ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/robotics-and-embedded-sytems) - [ Software Engineering ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/software-engineering) - [ Virtual Reality ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/virtual-reality) - [ Alumni ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/alumni) - [ Behind the Bits Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/behind-the-bits) - [ Career and Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/career-and-work) - [ Competitions ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/competitions) - [ Events ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/events) - [ Geek411 Magazine ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/geek-411) - [ Graduate Studies ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/graduate-studies) - [ Military ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/military) - [ People, Places and Things ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/people-places-and-things) - [ Perimeter83 ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/Perimeter83) - [ Student Innovation Project (SIP) ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-innovation-project) - [ Student Work ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/student-work) - [ Technology News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/technology-news) - [ UAT Life ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-life) - [ UAT News ](https://www.uattech.com/tag/UAT-news) [Game Studies](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-studies), [Career and Work](https://www.uattech.com/tag/career-and-work), [Alumni](https://www.uattech.com/tag/alumni)   |   6 Min Read ## A Game Developer, Classical Singer and Slot Machines ![Picture of UAT Staff Writer](https://www.uattech.com/hubfs/UATTECH-AUTHOR-LOGO.png) [ Written by UAT Staff Writer ](https://www.uattech.com/author/uat-staff-writer) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/uatedu) When [Holly Sheppard](https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-sheppard-84611b8/) graduated from the University of Advancing Technology with a degree in multimedia and digital animation, she immediately started working as a 3D artist—in a lab. She used her skills in [Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/) to create simulations and models of restricted areas of the [Los Alamos National Laboratory](https://www.lanl.gov/).   ![Screen Shot 2019-03-29 at 1.42.45 PM](https://www.uattech.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202019-03-29%20at%201.42.45%20PM.png) [Phoenix Chorale](https://www.instagram.com/Phoenixchorale/)   After spending a year working in the Laboratory, perfecting her portfolio and applying to jobs across the country, she returned to Arizona to work as an environment artist at [Rainbow Studios](https://www.rainbowstudios.com/) (formerly THQ), where she worked on a variety of games for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii. When the studio closed, she didn’t want to leave the people and patios in Arizona, so she spent some time taking on small freelance gigs and pursuing her other passion: classical singing. She still sings with the Grammy-award-winning [Phoenix Chorale](https://www.phoenixchorale.org/), the [Phoenix Opera](http://www.phoenixopera.org/#sthash.ts8qkvzu.dpbs) and the Arizona Opera Chorus!   Just when Holly resolved to start applying for out-of-state game art jobs, she got a call from a slot machine company in Scottsdale. She didn’t know anything about slot machines but was excited by the chance to stay in Arizona and take on a new professional challenge. “I was also excited to find out that the development is very similar to the game development I was used to,” she said. And she gets to work on a lot of cool projects such as Kooza and Amaluna, two Cirque Du Soleil slot machine games. She even got to meet Billy Gibbons when she worked on a ZZ-Top slot machine.   [Scientific Games ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-gjE5geQTQ)   Holly’s current role at [Scientific Games](https://www.sggaming.com/) is "somewhere in between technical artist and graphic artist." She spends a lot of her time in [After Effects](https://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhPfkBRD0ARIsAAcYycG1xBroPCpKKG1ibbBXGpQQpgU8pSxmWof7HXDyBGF3dT42mL6nJXwaAlrZEALw_wcB&sdid=KKQOW&kw=semgeneric&mv=search&ef_id=Cj0KCQjwhPfkBRD0ARIsAAcYycG1xBroPCpKKG1ibbBXGpQQpgU8pSxmWof7HXDyBGF3dT42mL6nJXwaAlrZEALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!3085!3!301433668073!e!!g!!after%20effects) and Photoshop doing motion graphic work. She also dabbles in 3D modeling, animation, concept work and graphic design. She collaborates with the Unity engineers on a daily basis to make sure all of the artwork gets implemented and functions properly.   Like many game developers, Holly had a tough time with her job search. “But I felt like I had a leg up when sending applications to studios because of my experience at UAT,” she said. During her time at UAT, Holly learned how fast tech moves. “New techniques and tools come out regularly, so being able to adapt quickly is important. But the fundamentals of art, color theory and composition stay the same.” she said. Her time at UAT taught her the value of both.   Holly capitalized on every opportunity to learn and improve while she was a UAT student, attending tech forums with industry professionals, completing internships, working on projects and participating in portfolio reviews. “You can build up a lot of experience that will help you get your foot in the door, but try to go beyond the basic requirements of classwork,” she said. “And always check to see how your portfolio looks on other computers!” she added.   Want to become an environment artist like Holly? Check out our [Game Art & Animation](https://www.uat.edu/game-art-and-animation-degree) degree program today! - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&title=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/slot-machine-1797310_1280.png&description=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20alumna%20Holly%20Sheppard%20didn't%20know%20anything%20about%20slot%20machines%20when%20she%20graduated%20with%20a%20degree%20in%20multimedia%20and%20digital%20animation,%20but%20she%20learned%20quickly%20that%20the%20development%20process%20is%20a%20lot%20similar%20to%20video%20game%20development.) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&text=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&title=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&summary=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20alumna%20Holly%20Sheppard%20didn't%20know%20anything%20about%20slot%20machines%20when%20she%20graduated%20with%20a%20degree%20in%20multimedia%20and%20digital%20animation,%20but%20she%20learned%20quickly%20that%20the%20development%20process%20is%20a%20lot%20similar%20to%20video%20game%20development.) - [** ](mailto:?subject=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&body=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines%20https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines) ### Don't forget to share this post! - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&title=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&picture=https://learn.uat.edu/hubfs/slot-machine-1797310_1280.png&description=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20alumna%20Holly%20Sheppard%20didn't%20know%20anything%20about%20slot%20machines%20when%20she%20graduated%20with%20a%20degree%20in%20multimedia%20and%20digital%20animation,%20but%20she%20learned%20quickly%20that%20the%20development%20process%20is%20a%20lot%20similar%20to%20video%20game%20development.) - [** ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?source=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&text=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines) - [** ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines&title=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&summary=University%20of%20Advancing%20Technology%20alumna%20Holly%20Sheppard%20didn't%20know%20anything%20about%20slot%20machines%20when%20she%20graduated%20with%20a%20degree%20in%20multimedia%20and%20digital%20animation,%20but%20she%20learned%20quickly%20that%20the%20development%20process%20is%20a%20lot%20similar%20to%20video%20game%20development.) - [** ](mailto:?subject=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines&body=A%20Game%20Developer,%20Classical%20Singer%20and%20Slot%20Machines%20https://www.uattech.com/classical-singing-and-slot-machines) ### Comment ## Related Articles [Cyber Security](https://www.uattech.com/tag/cyber-security) [UAT News](https://www.uattech.com/tag/uat-news) ### [Top Arizona Cybersecurity University Hosts FBI Cyber Academy for Second Consecutive Year](https://www.uattech.com/top-arizona-cybersecurity-university-hosts-fbi-cyber-academy-for-second-consecutive-year) [![Picture of UAT Staff Writer](https://www.uattech.com/hubfs/UATTECH-AUTHOR-LOGO.png) UAT Staff Writer ](https://www.uattech.com/author/uat-staff-writer) 6 Min Read [Game Studies](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-studies) [Game Programming](https://www.uattech.com/tag/game-programming) ### [From Player to Programmer - Study Game Programming at UAT](https://www.uattech.com/from-player-to-programmer-study-game-programming-at-uat) Great games aren’t just imagined — they’re engineered. 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