Integrated Visual Studies

A plush sculpture of a pie with spider-like legs on a white pedestal, with framed artwork displayed on the wall behind it.

Love art but also curious about something else?

What is IVS?

A collection of handmade zines displayed on a white surface.

As a studio-research-focused program, Integrated Visual Studies (IVS) lets you blend visual arts with another field, whether it's psychology, tech, business, or anything else that you’re curious about. You'll dive into creative research, develop an arts-based project or mini-thesis, and build a unique skill set. Integrated Visual Studies is perfect for artists who think outside the box and want to expand their impact beyond traditional art spaces.

As you move through the program, you'll sharpen your artistic skills, explore new techniques, and develop your unique creative voice. In the capstone prep course, you'll define your big research idea, choose the best methods to explore it, and lay the groundwork for your final project. The senior capstone is where it all comes together: you’ll blend art with history, theory, and culture to see your work in a bigger context. You’ll also dive deep into how your art connects with your secondary field, creating innovative, interdisciplinary projects that reflect your personal and academic journey.

Are you thinking about grad school? This program mirrors the research-driven, process-oriented work expected at the next level, giving you a strong foundation for advanced academic and professional opportunities.

As with each of our concentrations, your coursework will be supported by our Foundations Program, where you will learn a visual language and the technical skills to find your voice and participate with a critical eye in our complex contemporary society.

Whether you want to create, research, or innovate, this degree helps you do it all.

Integrated Visual Studies Capstone Presentations; art by Cheyenne Meyers

Graduating from the IVS program means more than just mastering the visual arts. You’ll also gain expertise in a secondary field, making you a versatile creative thinker. Along the way, you'll develop essential skills like communication, project design, and interdisciplinary research, setting you up for success in a wide range of careers.

Our flexible coursework lets you explore your interests, dive deeper into extracurriculars, and connect it all back to artmaking. Discover how society shapes and is shaped by visual culture with a mix of studio and academic classes. Dive into different ways of thinking visually and see how they impact culture. You’ll research various forms of visual communication, helping you develop a well-rounded understanding of everything from art and design to science, economics, and history.

view the catalog

The Capstone

The Ultimate Creative Experience

where your skills, creativity, and knowledge come together

By conceptualizing your own research path and designing your final project, you will gain valuable insight into how art and another field of study enrich one another.

This experience is designed to help you:

Connect the Dots: Synthesize everything you've learned and apply it to a hands-on research or creative project.
Sharpen Key Skills: Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication as you tackle complex artistic and academic challenges.
Work on Real-World Issues: Use your art and research to engage with real-world topics, gaining experience that prepares you for professional settings.
Get Career-Ready: Transition smoothly from college to your next step, whether it's a creative career or grad school.
Build Your Portfolio: Showcase your final project in a digital portfolio to impress future employers, collaborators, or admissions committees.

Check Out IVS Student Research

Your capstone is your chance to push boundaries and explore bold ideas. Here are some potential directions your research could take and questions you could ask.

Art and Environmental Activism

Art in Public Space

Cross-Cultural Visual Exchange

Intersections of Art and Technology

Visual Culture and Identity

Visual Culture and Memory

Visual Narratives and Social Change

What Can You Explore in Your IVS Capstone?

Anything you want to.

Our Facilities

The world is your studio. Students in the Integrated Visual Studies program have access to all studio spaces & laboratories within the 90,000 square foot Visual Arts building. They are strongly encouraged to work with other departments across the university & explore all facilities that CSU has to offer.