Chloe MooreChloe Moore sat down with Kenya Dempsey, a designer and illustrator whose playful club posters vividly capture the essence of contemporary Irish club culture. As co-founder of the queer club night Rathaus, Kenya shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her unique style, and the challenges of juggling multiple roles, along with exciting new projects that push creative boundaries in design and event promotion.
Kenya is known for her intricately crafted club night posters that capture her vision of modern Irish club culture. As co-founder of Rathaus with Michal Mencnarowski, she is deeply immersed in the scene, blending her vibrant, kaleidoscopic style with the diverse Irish club landscape. Rathaus has become a cultural hub, attracting a wide audience with its mix of performers, a high-energy techno-tinged main room, and a second room dedicated to throwback pop hits.
Kenya’s raffish designs have become a favourite among underground club promoters. She doesn’t aim to be introspective or pretentious, instead, her distinctive style captures the essence of partying—the feeling of being young, free, and fearless. As her work continues to evolve, Kenya remains deeply connected to club culture and dance spaces, regularly creating new works for Rathaus and other events across Ireland.
How would you describe your artistic style, particularly for club night posters?
I’ve always taken inspiration from psychedelic gig posters from the ’60s and ’70s combined with rave posters from the ’90s. My style is a mix of the two. When I started making posters four years ago, combining my illustrations with regular fonts felt jarring, so I learned hand lettering to make the artwork more cohesive. I love it when the lettering interacts with the illustrations, like in those vintage gig posters. Now I also make graphics-based posters, especially for Rathaus, and I’ve developed a love for typefaces. I go between these two styles as I experiment with my work.
What role do colours play in your designs, and how do you decide on a colour palette for each project?
Colours are probably the most important element of my designs. I aim for my work to pop off the screen, especially since most of it stays digital. I usually start with the colour palette, often vibrant primary colours, but it can vary depending on the event. Choosing a palette involves scrolling through Pinterest, grabbing colours, and adjusting hues based on the vibe I want. I almost always try to include yellow and pink.
Can you walk us through your creative process when designing a poster for a club night?
I start by gathering all the information the client wants on the poster, including any design guidelines. Then I look for inspiration online. Sometimes the event’s theme gives me a clear direction; other times, I decide the vibe myself. I start with the colour palette, then the centerpiece, and work the text around it. There’s usually some back and forth, but once I get it right, I enjoy the process—it helps me switch off and relax.
How has being part of the Dublin nightlife scene influenced your work?
It’s been hugely helpful. I’ve learned what’s essential for event promotion—legibility is key. While I love playing with visuals, people need to know who’s playing and where the event is. Being involved in nightlife has also connected me with promoters, DJs, and performers, and attending these events has influenced my style.
How do you use visual design to communicate the vibe or theme of a particular night at Rathaus?
I create a full visual identity based on the party’s theme, whether it’s a campy gym night or a satire on Catholic Ireland. Everything, from fonts to imagery, pushes that message. Each Rathaus poster looks different, but they all share an edgy, fun vibe that connects them.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face when creating promotional posters for events?
One challenge is when managers want names a certain size or style, which can limit my creativity. There’s often a lot of back-and-forth with promoters. Fortunately, most people respect my workflow and know what to expect from me now. A promoter with strict guidelines probably won’t come to me, and that’s fine!
As someone who wears multiple hats—illustrator, designer, and event organiser—how do you manage your time and stay inspired across all these roles?
I’m still figuring that out. I work whenever inspiration strikes. I can’t force myself to be creative, so I wait until I’m full of ideas. I wish I had a more structured schedule for better work-life balance, but creativity doesn’t work that way. I’m lucky to have Michal at Rathaus to keep things organised. It’s great to be busy, and I thrive in that environment.
Are there any upcoming projects or designs you’re particularly excited about?
I’ve just designed some fun t-shirts for Rí Rá, a lager company, and I have an exciting project with them in the new year. I’m always excited about Rathaus. Every party is a special occasion, and designing each theme is such a fun process. I encourage everyone to attend at least once!
How do you see your work evolving in the next few years, both with your personal designs and with Rathaus?
I’m focusing on my personal work right now. I’ve started doing murals, which I’m loving, and I want to do more of that—bigger and better projects. As for Rathaus, Michal and I hope to keep growing. We’ve moved from club nights to festival slots and university gigs, and I feel like there’s so much more we can do. I’m excited to push the boundaries further.
