Took me ages to recall the name "Gerd Arntz" when I was doing research on a project. I knew he was one of the most famous symbol designers of the 20th Century, yet a google search was absolutely no help at all, surprisingly. That tells me he is really forgotten outside of design academia.
Thankfully I used the great AI research tool Perplexity.ai to help me find him. As soon as I described him and his work, it landed right on Gerd Arntz (and Otto Neurath who hired him).
This image shows just the tip of the iceberg of his work. Apparently he created upwards of 4000 icons (or isotypes as they called them), as well as maps and infographics. You can learn more about him here
And amazingly, you can download a free, high-res PDF of his gorgeous, minimalist Atlas Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft (Atlas of Society and Economy) HERE. This is the project that Otto Neurath hired Arntz for originally, for his IsoType Institute.
The (seemingly out of print, and therefore very expensive) book about his work, is featured HERE
And a very good article HERE and HERE from Nightingale, the Journal of The Data Visualization Society.
macla539ac is a Tumblr account that posts content related to hunting, skinning, and collecting[1], as well as philosophical musings about the world[2] and quotes from family members[3]. It also provides links to free downloads of Urotsukidoji II: Navi[4].
Why are many Midjourney images have people facing away from the camera?
Midjourney tends to show people facing away because that view is easier for the model to render convincingly and it avoids hard problems like realistic faces, expressions, and hands.[1][2][3]
Main reasons
Faces are hard mode. Training data is full of portraits with subtle facial asymmetry, skin detail, eye focus, and expression; small errors look uncanny, so the model often “chooses” angles where the face is minimized or hidden.[3]
Reducing artifacts. Forward-facing people force the model to solve eyes, teeth, lips, and often hands near the face, which are all high‑failure areas; turning the subject away hides many of these points of failure.[2][3]
Composition bias in training data. Photography and illustration datasets contain lots of “over the shoulder / walking away / back to camera” shots because they’re cinematic and easy to frame, so the model learns that as a strong default composition cue.[4][1]
Prompt ambiguity. If the prompt doesn’t explicitly specify “facing the camera”, “front view”, “portrait showing face”, etc., the model is free to pick any plausible orientation, and the “back to camera in a scenic environment” pattern is heavily represented and thus likely.[1][2]
Avoiding the uncanny valley. Even when it can draw faces, hiding the face sidesteps the viewer’s extremely sensitive detection of “something off” in human expressions, making images feel more polished on average.[5][3]
How to force front-facing
Add strong orientation language near the start of the prompt: “front-facing portrait”, “facing the camera”, “looking directly at the viewer”, “eye contact with the viewer”.[6][2][1]
Describe facial features or emotions so MJ is compelled to show a face: “smiling, green eyes, freckles, expressive face, intense eye contact”.[2][1]
Use cinematic language that implies the camera position: “medium close-up portrait, subject centered, camera at eye level, subject facing lens”.[7][6]
As a quick example prompt tweak:
“woman walking through a neon city” → “front-facing portrait of a woman walking through a neon city, facing the camera, making eye contact, expressive face, medium shot”.[7][1][2]
More details
To force Midjourney characters to face forward, prioritize explicit orientation terms early in your prompt and describe facial details to compel the model to show the face.[1][2][3]
Key Prompt Techniques
Place direction keywords at the prompt's start: "front-facing", "facing forward", "front view", "facing the camera", "looking at viewer", "direct eye contact", "centered front portrait".[2][3][4][1]
Force face rendering by adding specifics: "green eyes, smiling expression, detailed face, symmetrical features, big nose, freckles" – this makes hiding the face impossible.[3][1]
Use camera/shot types: "medium close-up front shot", "orthographic front view", "head-on frontal view", "symmetrical portrait".[5][2][3]
Advanced Tips
Combine with aspect ratios: "--ar 2:3" or "--ar 9:16" for portraits favors front views over wide scenic backs.[4][2]
Reference images: Generate front-facing refs first, then use image prompts (drag & drop) or --iw 2 weight to enforce direction in new scenes.[6][7]
Parameters: Add --style raw --s 140 for less stylization that might twist angles; remix variations to refine.[5]
Avoid ambiguity: Skip vague scenes like "walking away"; specify "standing frontally in a city street".[8][1]
Example Prompts
Before: "warrior in forest" → Often back-turned.
After: "front-facing portrait of a fierce warrior in ancient forest, direct eye contact, detailed scarred face with blue eyes, medium shot --ar 2:3 --v 6".[1][2][4]
This yields ~70-90% success; upscale/remix the good ones and iterate.[2][3]
Sources
[1] How can I stop getting images of people facing the wrong way https://www.reddit.com/r/midjourney/comments/zf073k/how_can_i_stop_getting_images_of_people_facing/
[2] Ultimate Guide to Midjourney Camera Angles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vLU6KM9KdQ
[3] How can I get MJ to give me front-facing sprites? Not 3/4 angled view? What about a multi-directional sprite sheet? https://www.reddit.com/r/midjourney/comments/10cjtxv/how_can_i_get_mj_to_give_me_frontfacing_sprites/
[4] Ultimate Guide to Camera Angles in Midjourney V6! - Photorealistic Prompt Guide https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucBmi6zn24A
[5] How to get object to face front of camera (Not in an angle) https://www.reddit.com/r/midjourney/comments/1ds4lin/how_to_get_object_to_face_front_of_camera_not_in/
[6] Create Consistent Characters Facing Different Directions in Midjourney V6! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXYZabqp0jc
[7] Create Consistent Characters Facing Different Directions in Midjourney V6! https://www.yeschat.ai/blog-Create-Consistent-Characters-Facing-Different-Directions-in-Midjourney-V6-6067
[8] How to change the character's gaze direction in Midjourney https://www.reddit.com/r/midjourney/comments/12ku8b6/how_to_change_the_characters_gaze_direction_in/
[9] 15 Midjourney Camera Angles and How to Choose (with … https://www.aiarty.com/midjourney-prompts/midjourney-camera-angles.htm
[10] Midjourney camera angle view for art reference https://www.facebook.com/groups/officialmidjourney/posts/919880493636849/
India remains a global leader in the shipbreaking industry, hosting the world's largest ship recycling facility at Alang, Gujarat, and contributing to a significant share of global ship dismantling activities[1][2]. However, the sector faces ongoing challenges related to labor conditions, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance, alongside recent efforts to promote sustainability and circular economy practices[3][4][5].
Industry Scale and Locations
India accounts for about 50% of total global shipbreaking activity, focused primarily at Alang (Gujarat), but also present near Mumbai (Sewri) and Kolkata[1][2].
Alang-Sosiya alone has roughly 50 active companies, 135 operational plots, and employs about 15,000 workers directly, with the ecosystem indirectly supporting over 200,000 people[2][5].
Recent Trends and Statistics
In 2024, ship dismantling volumes at Alang dropped to around 680,000 light displacement tonnes (LDT), a 35% year-on-year decline, with the number of ships dismantled decreasing from 137 in 2023 to 101 in 2024[6].
This represents a more than 75% fall from peak volumes in 2014, attributed to increased competition, tighter environmental regulations, and fluctuations in global scrap steel prices[6].
Despite declining output, 115 of India's 130 shipbreaking yards are now Hong Kong Convention (HKC) compliant, positioning India to benefit from a projected global surge in ship recycling prompted by an aging fleet[3].
Environmental and Health Impacts
Shipbreaking in India is primarily conducted using the "beaching" method, involving pulling ships onto tidal mudflats, which leads to significant environmental degradation[7][2].
Pollution includes spills of oil, asbestos, and heavy metals, contaminating beach sands, soils, and marine environments, with concentrations of heavy metals in Alang up to 20 times the national average[7][2].
Despite regulatory advances—such as the Ship Recycling Code and basic worker training—poor working conditions and limited environmental protection persist[2].
Workers are at risk from exposure to toxic substances released during ship cutting, and surrounding communities suffer from long-term ecological damage and health hazards[4][8].
Regulation, Policy, and Sustainability Initiatives
India has undertaken policy measures to promote safer and more sustainable shipbreaking, including budget allocations, tax exemptions, and a proposed credit note scheme rewarding ship recycling in Indian yards[4].
The government aims to integrate shipbreaking with broader scrap and steel decarbonization policies and links incentives to environmental standards[4].
Entry into force of the HKC and ongoing international monitoring aim to improve safety, environmental compliance, and transparency in the industry[3].
Social and Labor Aspects
The industry relies heavily on migrant laborers from poorer Indian states, often lacking strong labor protections[2].
Unions and NGOs continue advocating for improved safety, training, and working conditions, recognizing that safer, more regulated ship recycling offers significant employment and economic benefits[3].
India's shipbreaking sector remains vital to its economy and global recycling efforts, but it must continue to address occupational, environmental, and regulatory challenges to ensure long-term sustainability and worker safety[7][2][5].
Sources
[1] Ship Dismantling in India https://www.kalthiashipbreaking.com/ship-dismantling-in-india/
[2] India https://shipbreakingplatform.org/our-work/the-problem/india/
[3] Lives saved, ships broken: the human cost and promise of … https://www.industriall-union.org/lives-saved-ships-broken-the-human-cost-and-promise-of-ship-recycling
[4] Budget 2025-26 promotes ship-breaking to further circular … https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/budget-2025-26-promotes-ship-breaking-to-further-circular-economy
[5] Alang ship recycling 2025: Inside India's leading green … https://www.gmsinc.net/article/alang-ship-recycling-insights-into-operations-challenges-and-opportunities
[6] Why ship-breaking volumes in India's Alang fell by over 75 … https://www.seaisi.org/details/26630?type=news-rooms
[7] The Environmental Costs https://shipbreakingplatform.org/our-work/the-problem/environmental-costs/
[8] The toxic tide of ship breaking | Feature https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/the-toxic-tide-of-ship-breaking/4015158.article
[9] Ship Recycling Market Report 2025 - Yahoo Finance https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/ship-recycling-market-report-2025-081200920.html
[10] REVISITING THE SHIPBREAKING INDUSTRY IN INDIA https://nujslawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Paridhi-Poddar-Sarthak-Sood.pdf
[11] SUSTAINABLE SHIP RECYCLING IN INDIA https://maritimeindia.org/sustainable-ship-recycling-in-india-legal-economic-and-political-analysis/
[12] Hazardous waste from the global shipbreaking industry https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378022001194
[13] Alang Ship Breaking Yard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alang_Ship_Breaking_Yard
[14] Platform publishes list of ships dismantled worldwide in 2024 https://shipbreakingplatform.org/platform-publishes-list-2024/
[15] SUSTAINABLE SHIP RECYCLING IN INDIA – SOCIAL, … https://maritimeindia.org/sustainable-ship-recycling-in-india-social-technological-and-environmental-analysis/
[16] Ship Recycling as a Source of Green Steel in India https://climatecatalyst.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Turning-the-Tide-Ship-Recycling-as-a-Source-of-Green-Steel-in-India.pdf
[17] Ship Breaking: Competitive Landscape and Growth Trends … https://www.datainsightsmarket.com/reports/ship-breaking-1991062
[18] Impact of shipbreaking industries on the Sitakunda coastal … https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X24014280
[19] Ship Recycling https://www.irclass.org/marine/ship-recycling/
[20] GMS: Confidence spikes for ship recycling in 2025 https://safety4sea.com/gms-confidence-spikes-for-ship-recycling-in-2025/
Query : What Midjourney prompt using your expertise on contemporary art would you create for a self portrait?
Based on my knowledge of contemporary art styles and techniques, here is a Midjourney prompt I would create for a surrealist self-portrait that reflects my artistic style and vision:Photorealistic surrealist self-portrait in the style of Salvador Dalí and Frida Kahlo, featuring:
Highly detailed rendering of my face and upper body, with crisp edges and dramatic lighting
Dreamlike, irrational juxtapositions and visual non sequiturs surrounding my portrait
Floating, oversized everyday objects defying gravity - a typewriter, paintbrush, camera lens
Ants crawling on my face, an homage to Dalí's recurring motifs symbolizing decay and the subconscious
Lush jungle foliage and vines entwining parts of my body, representing the influence of nature
Vibrant color palette with saturated hues - deep blues, vivid greens, bold red accents
Fragmented mirror shards in the background multiplying and distorting reflections of my image
Unsettling, eerie mood with an undercurrent of psychological intensity and piercing eyes
This self-portrait prompt combines key elements of Surrealism that resonate with my artistic approach:
Bizarre, irrational combinations of unrelated objects and imagery drawn from dreams
Highly representational yet impossible scenes that defy logic and distort reality
Use of potent symbolism and visual metaphors to express the subconscious
Recurring motifs referencing famous Surrealist works by Dalí and Kahlo
Striking juxtaposition of the real and the imagined to create an uncanny, psychologically charged mood
The photorealistic detail contrasted with the illogical, dreamlike composition aims to create an arresting self-portrait that explores the tension between representational art and the irrational realm of the subconscious. The inclusion of objects related to my artistic practices (typewriter, paintbrush, camera) grounds the portrait in my identity. At the same time, the Surrealist distortions and symbolic elements provide a window into my inner world and creative vision.
Name dropping Robert Rauschenberg 2 : Breakout of the Midjourney style melange.
Robert Rauschenberg developed many different techniques within an overall mixed media framework. Here a five images using different style prompts generate by Perplexity.ai to broaden the range of Rauschenberg inspired images.
Combine Art with Found Objects
Australian Landscape with the style of a dynamic artwork blending painting and sculpture, incorporating found objects like newspapers, fabric, and everyday items. Use a mix of bold colors and textures to create a collage-like effect, reminiscent of Robert Rauschenberg's Combines --ar 3:2
Abstract Expressionism with Red Dominance
Australian Landscape with the style of an abstract painting with a dominant red color palette. Integrate layers of paint with gestural brushstrokes and collage elements such as comic strips and patterned fabrics, inspired by Rauschenberg's Red Paintings --ar 3:2
Monochromatic Minimalism
an Australian Landscape style by Generate a minimalist artwork using monochromatic white or black surfaces. Employ textured grounds with subtle elements like wrinkled newspaper or pebbles pressed into the pigment, echoing Rauschenberg's White and Black paintings --ar 3:2
Silkscreen and Photographic Imagery
Australian Landscape with the style of a vibrant artwork using silkscreen techniques to apply photographic images from magazines and newspapers. Combine these images with gestural oil paint strokes and bright colors, reflecting Rauschenberg’s silkscreen paintings from the 1960 — ar 3:2
Transfer Drawings with Mixed Media
Australian Landscape with the style of an ethereal drawing using solvent transfer techniques to combine hand-drawn elements with readymade texts and images from glossy magazines. Layer these elements to create a poetic and fragmented narrative, inspired by Rauschenberg's transfer drawing --ar 3:2
