Benjamin Read, a frontend designer, discusses his journey from developing websites primarily with WordPress to embracing React and Gatsby.js, driven by the need to meet evolving client demands and prepare for the Gutenberg editor's integration into WordPress. Initially a specialist in HTML and CSS with limited JavaScript use, Read describes his transition to React as a way to streamline his workflow, manage everything in one place, and reduce the complexity traditionally associated with WordPress templating. He highlights the advantages of using Gatsby.js, such as its integration with GraphQL for efficient data querying and the simplification of CSS management through JavaScript. Despite initial challenges, including adapting to JSX and CSS-in-JS techniques, Read has come to appreciate the efficiency and enhanced security offered by Gatsby’s "Bring Your Own Data" strategy, particularly when combined with WordPress as a backend. The shift has not only improved loading times and security for client websites but has also allowed Read and his team to anticipate future web development trends with greater clarity.