Ray Drainville

Dr. Ray Drainville is a lecturer at the University of Waterloo, specializing in digital media and visual culture. His research explores the intersection of iconography, social media image analysis, and machine learning applications. With nearly two decades of industry experience in web development and graphic design, he brings practical insights to his teaching on contemporary digital visual culture.

• PhD in Visual Culture from Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University (2018)
• MA in Information Studies from University of Sheffield (1996)
• MA in History of Art from Princeton University (1995)
• BA in History of Art from New College (1992)

Dr. Drainville's research interests include digital media, visual culture, iconography, media theory, and hermeneutics. His work increasingly examines linguistic and visual dogwhistles in political contexts, memetic superposition, and algorithmic iconography. He has published in journals such as AI & Society, Studies In Communication Sciences, and Hyperallergic, often combining historical art analysis with contemporary digital platforms.

He teaches courses including:

• GBDA 101 Introduction to Digital Media Design
• GBDA 203 Introduction to Digital Culture
• GBDA 228 Digital Imaging of Online Applications
• GBDA 301 Global Digital Project 1
• GBDA 401 Cross-Cultural Digital Business
• GBDA 402 Capstone Course: Cross-Cultural Digital Business
• ARTS 290 Theories of Media